Washington Indian tribes becoming economic powers

OLYMPIA, Wash. —

After years of struggle, Washington's Indian tribes are now using their casino income to become economic powers.

The South Sound is home to three growing tribes: the Squaxin Island Tribe of Mason County, and the Nisqually and the Chehalis in Thurston County.

All three have transformed themselves in recent years by emphasizing long-term economic development

goals. Thanks to casino profits and income from other businesses, the tribes are among the largest employers of tribal members and nonmembers in the two counties. Roughly 3,400 people are employed by the tribes. And more growth is on the way.

For example, there's a new golf course opening soon at the Little Creek Casino resort and the Nisqually Tribe is building a prison for low-risk offenders with federal dollars.

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Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHjM2KYrh3yho5Crlq9HCLPaJA66Q&url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014613448_apwatribalcomeback.html

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Washington Indian tribes becoming economic powers - The Seattle Times