10/02/2001
Tribe donates percentage of casino profits to local schools
Idaho-based Indian tribe Coeur d'Alene began awarding cash grants from casino profits to local schools in 1994. Since then, the tribe's contributions have grown tremendously, promising a better educational future for both tribal and non-tribal children throughout northern Idaho.
At an awards ceremony in January, tribal council members, Coeur d'Alene Casino executives and school district officials joined in the now annual event to distribute five percent of the tribe's casino profits to the schools in the area. This year the tribe distributed US$980,000 in cash awards.
?We know that these contributions are investments in the future,? tribal Chairman Ernest Stensgar said. ?There is no better way to help our children and communities than to help education.?
Casino marketing director Laura Stensgar believes that one of the best things about the program is that it gives small schools that might not qualify for other government grants the opportunity to receive much-needed funds.
Positive public opinion about the tribe has been rising ever since the tribe started contributing locally. ?One of the things about the awards program that has impressed many non-tribal members is that there are schools that the tribe has contributed to that probably have a Native enrollment of less than 1 percent,? says School District superintendent Wayne Trottier.
The awards program also indirectly promotes cultural sharing as non-tribal members begin to learn about and to enjoy the benefits of the Coeur d'Alene tribe's culture of sharing and unconditional gift-giving.
?I'm really impressed by them,? Trottier said. ?In my 20 years of education it's one of the first times I've ever seen this type of disbursement process. It's basically, 'Here's a check for US$290,000. Good luck. We support what you do with it and we wish you well.?
The tribe is planning to expand their casino resort complex operations and the educational funding program will certainly benefit too.
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