Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 26, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke releases historic economic report on state's Indian tribes

OLYMPIA — Washington's Indian tribes contribute more than $1 billion annually to the state's economy and employ more than 14,000 citizens, according to a historic report released today by Gov. Gary Locke.

The report, Economic Contributions of Indian Tribes to the Economy of Washington State, details highlights and notes areas for improvement among Washington's 27 federally recognized tribes. The study is the first of its kind in the nation in which tribes have worked with state government to produce a reliable financial portrait of tribal communities.

"This report represents a beginning," Locke said. "It gives us a foundation on which to build our ongoing relationship with Washington's tribal leaders."

The 30-page report is a collaboration of the Washington tribal leadership, the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs, Robert Chase of Chase Economics of Tacoma, and Veronica Tiller, the prime author.

Tiller is a member of the Jacarilla Apache Tribe of New Mexico and a writer and historian. She is the president and chief executive officer of Tiller Research, Inc. Her firm specializes in the research of Indian economies.

Locke said the report should help Washington's tribes strengthen trust and share vital information with local and state governments, business representatives and other citizens.

"This report represents more than just a presentation of numbers," Locke said. "Tribal communities have long been reluctant to share information about themselves. This report helps create an atmosphere that all of us can build upon."

Other highlights of the report include:

-Tribal enterprises spent about $866 million for supplies, equipment and services in 1997.

-Tribal governments paid $51.3 million in federal/payroll-related taxes in 1997.

-Tribal enterprises have a current combined payroll of $270 million.

-The tribes paid $5.3 million in state employment/payroll-related taxes in 1997.

-Indian population in Washington is 91,000, up 16 percent since 1990.

-King County has the largest concentration of Indian citizens, 18,000.

-Tribes earned $71 million from timber harvests and about $7 million from salmon fishing in 1997.

-Gaming has improved economic opportunities for the 12 Washington tribes that have such operations, generating a combined $440 million in annual revenues. Gaming also is the leading employer for tribes.

The report also noted areas for improvement:

-The average annual wage for tribal employees is $18,800, about 40 percent lower than the statewide average of $32,400.

-More than half of the 14,000 full-time jobs are in the services sector, which pays lower wages.

-Although tribes have diversified their economies in recent years, most notably in gaming, tribal communities still lack access to capital investments, markets and skilled labor.

-Although important to the overall tribal economy, gaming cannot be expected to solve economic problems.

-Tribes still face high unemployment, poor housing, lack of infrastructure and lesser educational opportunities.

Locke said the initiative would focus on helping tribes and state government develop partnerships to diversify tribal economies.

"I have always said that there is one Washington, not two," Locke said. "This initiative is part of our effort to assist all communities throughout the state."

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