Perhaps no area of Thurston County has seen such a phenomenal renaissance as the Nisqually Tribal Nation. Many critics are quick to complain about the politics and independence of the tribe that shields them from many burdens that off reservation businesses and communities face, but from the perspective of a frequent visitor for the past three decades, the problems that Nisqually people have overcome and continue to overcome are phenomenal. I for one a decade ago had written off aspects of the tribe as a “no mans land” overrun by poverty, crime, poor education, drugs, and other strife. Again, considering the challenges of the past and the efforts of today, the Nisqually people should be commended if not praised for the dramatic turn around and their profound success. They should be viewed as a model for any community on how to make priorities and truly build a community.
The developing business sense of the Nisqually nation is impressive. Most “outsiders” think that the lone source of tribal income and opportunity is just the typical tribal casino or government funding. The gradual capital expansion and careful planning from cradle to completion of the casino is great example of good investment tied to careful research and clearly planned for future expansion with considerations towards marketing and competition. But we should not forget that a large part of their balance sheet on the revenue side also includes business and industries such as Nisqually Aquatic Technologies and their criminal justice services. Nisqually Aquatic Technologies (NAT) should be a Google must and take into consideration that NAT provides critical services around the state and beyond that are in high demand. Are you on city or community water system on the Westside of the state? There is a pretty good chance that NAT did some work on your local water system. The same holds true for the criminal justice system and the housing of inmates. If some communities had to provide jailing services internally for many of their inmates, considering the current budget crisis, it would likely mean significant reductions to arrests or incarceration for many communities.
With the success of the Nisqually nations business and other investments, perhaps the most telling aspect of the Nisqually leadership has been their reinvestment into the community. Their community schools are first rate; their students and youth are encouraged and supported to attend higher education, and the facilities and opportunities for their youth are competitive if not exceeding most off reservation intuitions. Our union believes that education and skill building is a critical asset to ensuring a community’s future success and ensuring succession of competent leadership. While our society off reservation is cutting education and raising tuition to the point of inaccessibility for short term solvency of financial issues, the Nisqually Nation is investing in their future generation. No more “lost generations” for these people who have been through so much.
As fire fighters we also commend their forward thinking in emergency management by making plans and investing into public safety. The new community center that also doubles as an emergency operations center and shelter for the tribe exceeds anything else in the county. The Nisqually tribe also frequently has more officers on duty than the entire expanse of Thurston County through the Sherriff’s Office. While our community is cutting without consideration to the short and long-term impacts to fire and law enforcement, the Nisqually nation is investing and preparing. They are doing a far better job than most communities in heeding warnings and advice of future natural disasters or community needs in times of emergency. Don’t worry about the Nisqually nation during the next major earthquake, they’re preparing and getting ready and are years beyond most communities in Washington.
As final thought, the politics of the Nisqually tribe are not entrenched in demagoguery and eternal campaign rhetoric but are largely about responsible growth and addressing community needs in a balanced and sustainable approach. It’s a common criticism that because they don’t have the same taxation and regulation structures that exist off reservation that they are successful, but that’s naïve considering how far they have come and how successful they have been especially in comparing tribes throughout North America. The Nisqually people and their Elders have done something unique and they should be proud. For those of us off reservation, we should look at them now as example of government truly of, for, and by the people. A government and people that recognizes investment in the community is key and developing business that re-invests and supports a community while existing in a highly profitable environment. It’s not about raising taxes, it’s about increasing business and revenue in an equitable and suitable manner as executed in careful community planning and management.
We’re lucky. The fire fighter’s of Lacey Fire District hope we can continue to be part of their community for the next 60 years and are grateful for the friendship and support.