Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 26, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke addresses National Congress of American Indians

SPOKANE – In a speech to the National Congress of Indian Affairs in Spokane today, Gov. Gary Locke reaffirmed his commitment to honor tribal sovereignty and pledged to work with Indian tribes to find common ground.

Referring to the Centennial Accord, signed 100 years after Washington state entered the union, Locke reiterated the need to strengthen the government-to-government relationship between the state and the tribes to resolve issues.

“Washington state and the tribes have not always been in accord,” Locke said. “One of the tools that we utilize is our Centennial Accord, which is gaining a higher profile and acceptance in other states. This has been a critical foundation for our relationship, and allows us to strive for the common ground and the common good of our governments.”

The governor invited tribal leaders to the annual Centennial Accord meeting to be held next week and urged “other tribes and political leaders from other states to look at the Centennial Accord as a model for a more productive relationship based on mutual respect.”

The governor emphasized his commitment to ensure that Washington is not divided by economic differences between the haves and the have-nots.

“It is my goal to extend prosperity to Indian country,” Locke said, adding that he has instructed the state’s Office of Indian Affairs “to help create real jobs in Indian country.”

The governor highlighted recent work between the tribes and the state’s Tourism and Indian Affairs offices to conduct an assessment of tribal tourism in Washington.

“I am proud to say this effort led to the tribes receiving a $300,000 grant to create an inter-tribal tourism association.”

Locke also spoke to shared passions for advancing education and restoring salmon.

“I know you care deeply about your children and their education as future leaders in Indian country,” the governor said, encouraging greater parental involvement to improve children’s success in the classroom.

Locke acknowledged the expertise, knowledge and dedication that the tribal natural resources staff and leaders bring to salmon restoration issues.

“I know that many tribes consider the salmon to be an integral and sacred part of their cultures,” Locke said. “And the salmon have a different kind of importance as well. Their fate may well be our own.”

The governor committed to working with legislators on a fiscal package for water infrastructure investments that “move us forward in meeting our future water needs” and outlined four policy areas for 2002.

1. Water for streams – setting and achieving instream flows
   
2. Water for growing communities
   
3. “Use it or lose it” policies on water rights
   
4. Funding for drinking water and water storage projects.

The governor called on the tribal leaders to build on the successes they’ve already made together.

“We’ve already reformed welfare in Indian country,” Locke said. “We’re protecting Indian children and preserving Indian families. We’re also improving access to health care and other mental health services.”

In closing, the governor said, “I reaffirm my commitment to honoring tribal sovereignty and working with the Indian tribes to find common ground -- ground that is fertile and will allow us all to grow and prosper together.”

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Related Links:
- Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
- National Congress of American Indians
- Water 2002
- Locke announces release of statewide tribal tourism assessment
- Centennial Accord
- Washington State Tourism
- Gov. Locke's remarks to National Congress of American Indians

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