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CUSICK – Representatives from the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Washington State Department of Commerce signed a historic memorandum of understanding on Dec. 5, 2024. By signing the MOU, Tribe Chairperson Glen Nenema, and Commerce Director Mike Fong established government-to-government relations in an agreement intended to remove administrative barriers, improve communications, implement culturally appropriative data privacy and security measures and more.
“For generations, we have worked to protect our sovereignty and ensure our values are reflected in the partnerships we build,” said Curt Holmes, Kalispel Tribal Council vice-chairperson and Kalispel Casino and Government Affairs executive director, in a press release. “This Memorandum of Understanding with the Washington State Department of Commerce is a meaningful acknowledgment of tribal sovereignty.”
The MOU protects the Tribe’s data privacy, ensures they retain control over how their information is used and strengthens their ability to align state funding with the Tribe’s mission and long-term goals, Holmes said.
With support from state funding, the Tribe is also advancing their climate resilience, managing their growth and enhancing public safety.
“Strong, vibrant tribal nations and tribal communities strengthen all Washington communities in many ways,” Fong said in a press release. “This MOU formalizes an approach to relations that advances our partnerships, encompassing tribal coordination, informal consultation and formal government-to-government consultation.”
This MOU is the fifth Commerce has made with tribal governments in Washington, and Commerce anticipates similar agreements with more tribes this year.
Commerce takes a holistic approach to working with all communities to access the resources available through Commerce, Fong said. These resources range from funding for affordable housing, community facilities and energy infrastructure to support for community services, public safety and economic development and job creation.
“These agreements reflect our values as an agency,” Fong said.
