In Idaho communities adjacent to tribal lands, University of Idaho Economics Professor Steve Peterson said he sees plenty of partnership opportunities between the two groups. Often, Peterson said, communities don”t think to partner with the tribe.
“I ask, “Why don”t you just partner with the tribe?” And they say “Oh, we never thought about it,”” Peterson said. “The thought has just never occurred to them. Like, they”re five miles away. Why haven”t you thought about it?”
According to a recently completed economic impact study conducted by Peterson and commissioned by the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho, a partnership with one of Idaho”s five major tribes is more valuable than many realize.
“Whenever I look at the numbers, I always think I have to be a zero off – the numbers are so big,” Peterson said.
Between Idaho”s five major tribes – Coeur d”Alene, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock and Shoshone-Paiute – tribal economic activity in the state generates 13,840 jobs to the state and more than $1.1 billion in sales transactions, according to Peterson”s study.
Combined, the five tribes had gross state product of $653 million in 2013, which accounts for 1 percent of Idaho”s gross state product. It may not sound like a lot, but Peterson said that if all tribal economic activities were to cease, it would be enough to plunge Idaho into a severe recession.
Not only is tribal economic impact great, but casinos and resorts on reservations often draw out-of-state visitors. Peterson”s study found that of the 500,000 people who visit Idaho casinos annually, 60 percent are from out of the state, which means that new money is being introduced into Idaho”s economy.
Casinos aren”t the only business-generating revenue on reservations.
Since tribal governments often fill the role of both federal and local governments, they often provide jobs in healthcare, education, environmental protection, law enforcement, judiciaries, agriculture and more. In total, the tribes directly create 4,641 jobs, making them the 10th largest employer in the state.
“Many don”t realize the breadth and the depth of activities of tribes in Idaho,” Peterson said.
Additionally, Peterson”s study found that from 2001 to 2014, tribes saw a dramatic decrease in unemployment.
The tribes contribute $39 million to Idaho”s tax coffers annually, and in 2014 donated $2.15 million to state charities and schools. With much of their funding coming from the federal level, tribes are often what Peterson calls “recession resilient.”
Nez Perce Tribe Economic Development Planner Ann McCormack said that she hopes as the results of the study come out, people will be more willing to partner with Idaho tribes.
“Everyone prospers,” she said. “We”re all on this land together and we all want to make everybody have a better life.”
Hannah Shirley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @itshannah7