Local tribal leaders say they don’t see themselves as competitors for gambling revenue, but rather partners in encouraging economic development.
In early February, the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe will become the second tribe on the North Olympic Peninsula to operate a casino.
The Jamestown S’Klallam tribe was the first, with its 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn.
Ron Allen, the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe chairman, said he welcomes the Lower Elwha Klallam’s involvement in the business of operating casinos.
“The majority of us in Indian country respect all of our sister tribes who make the choice to venture into the gaming industry,” he said.
The Jamestown S’Klallam have provided advice based on their expertise in the gaming industry, said Frances Charles, Lower Elwha Klallam tribe chairwoman.
“They have been really open with sharing a lot of information,” she said.
The Jamestown S’Klallam also operate the Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course on Woodcock Road and the Longhouse Market & Deli adjacent to the casino.`
The smaller Lower Elwha Klallam casino will operate with 100 bingo-style electronic slots. It will also include a deli, but won’t serve alcohol.
The Jamestown S’Klallam tribe plans to add 200 slot machines along with 10-12 table games at 7 Cedars early this year.
The additions will replace its bingo area.
The Lower Elwha Klallam casino, considered a Class 3, is overseen by the National Indian Gaming Commission. As a Class 2 casino, 7 Cedars is supervised the state.
The cooperation between tribes on the North Olympic Peninsula isn’t necessarily the norm elsewhere in the state.
Competition for federal money and gambling revenue has led to the Tulalip tribe opposing federal recognition for other tribes in Western Washington, The Herald in Everett reported last week.
Recognized tribes receive millions in federal money each year for education, health, environmental and social programs, and can operate casinos and resorts in most states, The Herald reported.
The Tulalip operate the Quil Ceda Village casino and resort on I-5 north of Marysville.
The Snoqualmie tribe recently opened a casino near North Bend after receiving federal recognition in 1999. Its effort to do so was opposed by the Tulalip tribe, The Herald reported.
The newspaper also says that leaders of the Snohomish, the Duwamish, the Snoqualmie and others tribes say the Tulalips have also opposed their efforts of attaining federal recognition.
Allen referred to Tulalips opposition to competition as “hypersensitive.”
“They really don’t know what the impact is on the casino relative to Tulalip or Muckleshoot,” he said. The Muckleshoot tribe operates a casino southeast of Seattle.
Although the Lower Elwha Klallam’s casino will be much smaller than 7 Cedars, Allen said he would be supportive even if the tribe were opening a much larger facility.
“They have the right to compete in the industry, like any other tribe,” he said.
“The Jamestown tribe and I personally have been a strong advocate of tribes to pursue the ability to become self reliant … Gaming happens to be one of those industries that does work because the market will come to you.”
The Jamestown S’Klallam are also providing expertise in economic development to another tribe on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Hoh tribe
Allen said the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe is assisting the Hoh tribe in West Jefferson County with its plans to construct a commercial and administration plaza on land it purchased along U.S. Highway 101 from Rayonier Inc. for $280,000 in fall 2007.
The Hoh are awaiting approval in Congress of House Bill 7073 to expand its reservation to that 65-acre property and 360-acres of land nearby that it purchased over the last year.
The reservation is located on about 640 acres of flood plain at the mouth of the Hoh River south of Forks. About 90 percent of the tribe’s residents live in the flood zone.
The Hoh intend to use the land on higher ground for economic development that the reservation has lacked.
“It’s a great idea,” Allen said. “We are just providing them with some assistance and helping them prepare for that.”
Allen said the two tribes are developing a contract for the Jamestown S’Klallam’s assistance.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
