Yakama Nation raising $2.8M to rebuild homes destroyed in fire

Monday, March 14, 2011  

The Yakama Nation of Washington has raised about half of the $2.8 million needed to rebuild 20 homes that were destroyed by fire last month.

The tribe is relying on volunteer donations because neither the state nor the federal government have stepped in to help. The tribe has requested a disaster declaration from the Obama administration but nothing has happened so far.

"We still have people that are homeless and don't have these possessions yet," Chairman Harry Smiskin told KNDO "The tribal government is working to reestablish those homes and we're working very diligently at that."

Get the Story:
White Swan slowly progressing one month later, Yakama Nation says (KNDO 3/14)

Yakama Nation promises to rebuild after fire destroys homes (2/15)