Governor Gregoire addresses the 2008 Centennial Accord Meeting

June 10, 2008

*As Written*


Greetings and welcome to the 19th Annual Centennial Accord meeting.

I would like to thank Chairman Burnett and the rest of the Chehalis Tribal Council for graciously hosting this year�s gathering.

This gleaming new Great Wolf Lodge is a beautiful facility � and it represents one more example of the impressive work the tribes are doing to create jobs and help not only their sons and daughters, but all of Washington.

I also would like to take this time to welcome the new Tribal Chairs, including:
Carol Hatch, of the Quileute Nation
Micah McCarty, of the Makah Nation
Daki (DAY-kee) Leo Fisher, of the Hoh Tribe
James Roberts, Sauk-Suiattle Tribe (Sock-SUE-attle)
Ralph Sampson, of the Yakama Nation
Dave Lopeman, of the Squaxin Island Tribe
And Henry Cagey, of the Lummi Nation.

Let it be noted that Dave (Lopeman) and Henry (Cagey) apparently didn�t suffer enough as chairmen the first time around and they�re back for more!

And also, I want to congratulate Francis Charles on her re-election as Chairwoman of the Lower Elwha Tribe.

The Centennial Accord and I go back to its beginning � when, as an assistant attorney general I helped write it for Governor Gardner � so I�m moved and honored to be at my 4th Accord meeting as Governor.

In historical terms, The Accord is still young � but when you look back, you really can see that we have achieved the fundamental purpose of the Accord.

And that was to establish government-to-government relations between the tribes and the state of Washington.

I know that -- working together -- we have permanently established in the public mind that Washington tribes are sovereign governments � based on treaty and agreements � rather than just another special interest as too many saw you for far too long.

Of course, having a government-to-government relationship isn�t always easy, as we all know. But that�s the point. We sit down together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and we work out solutions for the benefit of all Washingtonians.

We�re not about process � We�re about action!

And we get things done! Beginning in 2005, the year I took office, we:

Successfully negotiated the X-2 provisions to the tribal gaming compacts to allow increases in the number of machines and additional recognition of tribal contributions to local public services.

Worked with the Spokanes and the Colvilles to secure more water for the tribes, for fish, and for farmers. The Lake Roosevelt agreement came after many, many years of hard work.

Made tremendous strides not only in protecting the rich cultural resources of our tribes through several pieces of legislation -- but in raising public awareness about the extreme importance of protecting sacred sites and graves when they are discovered.

Worked together to give tribal police officers general authority as Washington peace officers when specific requirements are met.

Negotiated many cigarette tax compacts � the most recent with the Spokane, Yakama, and Shoalwater tribes.

Worked out an agreement allowing tribal governments access to health care and other benefits through the Public Employee Benefits Board.

We are also helping, when appropriate, to protect tribal children.

We allow BIA-funded schools to request background checks through the Washington State Patrol of employees and applicants for employment � the same as for school districts and Educational Service Districts.

And, we expanded the ability of tribes to license foster care homes and place foster children into their homes.

Working together, we have taken several important steps to better educate our Native American children. To mention some:

We authorized accredited public tribal colleges to allow students to participate in our Running Start program � which gives kids the incentive and opportunity to graduate and go to college.

Our school districts are strongly encouraged to work with the tribes for cultural exchanges and also to collaborate in the development of what we teach our kids when their reservations are within a school district�s boundaries.

And just this year, we passed legislation allowing the tribes to help train and certify teachers to teach �The First Peoples'� language, culture, and oral tribal traditions.

As I said, we have done a lot in the last 3 � years.

It isn�t always easy.

But we are sitting down in a framework of mutual respect and negotiating � government-to-government. With each passing year, we are getting more comfortable with the framework, and we are sharpening our focus.

Most important � we don�t just talk � we act � together.

The result is -- we are improving the lives of tribal families and of Washingtonians as a whole.

Let�s keep it up in the days and years to come.