Our neighbors, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe
In North Idaho we are lucky to call the Coeur d’Alene Tribe our neighbors. This has been true all the way back to the time of the European settlement when the tribe handed out blankets and food to starving settlers. The tribe continues to extend this same type of generosity today through their unbelievable support of community programs, economic development and education.
In our roles as president of Jobs Plus and the Mayor of Hayden and music teacher at Hayden Meadows, we have been fortunate to see the tribe’s love for the surrounding communities and their willingness to share their time and resources.
A few years ago, I realized it was time to redevelop the fourth-grade music program in order to more accurately reflect our state’s history. Our music didn’t mention Native Americans and it seemed shocking considering how closely tied our community is with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. The tribe sat down with me to help me understand their history and culture. Today, when students learn about Idaho’s history through songs, it is truly reflective of all aspects of our state. But their support didn’t stop there. The tribe also gave my school a grant so we could purchase traditional regalia for the students to use during their performance and safer risers.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe gives five percent of the net casino gaming profits to support education every year. This was something the tribe built into their gaming compact with the state because they felt it was the right thing to do. Our communities and children have benefited greatly from this commitment. Since 1992, the Tribe has given more than $33 million to schools, universities and nonprofit organizations. And each year, the tribe continues to give tens of thousands of dollars to community programs throughout Kootenai County.
The tribe played a pivotal role in bringing one of Coeur d’Alene’s biggest community treasures to life – the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center. This center helps nurture children’s social skills, arts appreciation and athletic potential. The tribe gave $1 million to help build the facility.
In addition to their generosity, the tribe also has a significant economic impact in our region. They are the second largest employer in northern Idaho with nearly 2,000 employees. Employees work at the Coeur d’Alene Casino, Marimn Health, the community medical center, the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Farm, and in other business and government operations. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe helps to generate an additional 4,000 jobs in the region through its operations. The tribe also generates nearly $13 million in taxes to the state, county and local governments including multiplier effects.
The tribe has always stepped up to help our communities when we’ve needed it most – whether that be providing food to children who would otherwise go hungry over the weekend, partnering with North Idaho College on their technical education campus or providing well-paying jobs to Idahoans. Now, it is our turn to step up. It is imperative we continue to support our friend and partner the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.