"It is a new day for the Spokane Tribe of Indians and for Eastern Washington. The Spokane Tribe and Washington State Gambling Commission negotiating representatives have recently reached an agreement on a proposed gaming compact. The proposed compact sets limits for the size and scope of gaming for our tribe and integrates its gaming operations within a comprehensive and cooperative tribal, federal and state regulatory framework.

This agreement will result in new investments by the Spokane Tribe to create high-quality entertainment venues, helping the economy of our reservation and surrounding communities.

The Spokane Tribe will work with local governments to make commitments they can count on to address impacts of our proposed entertainment operations. The Spokane Tribe will assist in funding essential services such as law enforcement, fire safety, judicial services and contribute to local charities.

This new agreement follows a request by Gov. Chris Gregoire to renegotiate a compact agreement reached in the latter part of 2005. The current proposed compact contains a significant reduction of the size and scope of gaming from the original. With mutual respect and consideration for the issues important to both the Spokane Tribe and the state, and with the positive leadership of Gov. Gregoire and the Gambling Commission, we constructed a new agreement, which will serve the best interests of the state, our region and the Spokane Tribe."

Get the Story:
Richard L. Sherwood: Spokanes' proposal a promising picture (The Spokesman Review 1/28)