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Tribe donates $1.2 million to education

| March 14, 2014 9:00 PM

PLUMMER - The Coeur d'Alene Tribe donated $1.2 million Thursday to 52 educational programs throughout the region.

The funds support a variety of educational efforts, including reading, music, arts, science, vocational and GED preparation classes and college scholarship programs.

"When it comes to supporting students throughout the state, we are proud to stand up for education," said Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. "Our kids need so many things to succeed in school: technology, updated textbooks and school supplies, basic nutrition and safe places to learn and grow.

"We are happy to be able to fulfill our promise and provide funding for all of these things and more so our students can focus on what's most important: learning."

The Coeur d'Alene Tribal Council considered 150 requests, for projects totaling more than $4 million, and awarded funding to 52 of the requests.

Funds were primarily distributed to organizations throughout Kootenai and Benewah counties in Idaho and other schools in the region, but schools as far away as Meridian, Sugar City and Wilder also applied and received funds.

Tribal leaders made a commitment to education in 1992 when they agreed to return 5 percent of the tribe's net gaming revenues to education as part of a gaming compact with the state.

At Thursday's ceremony, Allan told school and nonprofit representatives the Tribe is proud to fulfill its promise from 22 years ago.

Among the local entities and groups that received funding include, but are not limited to: the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Kellogg, Kootenai, Lakeland, Plummer-Worley and St. Maries school districts, Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County, Excel Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho, school backpack programs for weekend meals, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, Kootenai Technical Education Campus, North Idaho College Foundation, NIC Booster Club, St. Vincent de Paul of North Idaho, Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center and TESH.

The latest round of donations brings the Tribe's total contributions to education to $21.4 million.

The Tribe will accept applications for 2015 funding through Sept. 30. Those with questions should contact Heather Keen, the Tribe's public relations director, at (208) 686-2023 or hkeen@cdatribe-nsn.gov.