Tribal Health Programs Win Big with Casino Profits

Tribal consultant Rollin Fatland can list many benefits made possible by the casino since its opening in 1995, such as a $19.3 million Health and Wellness Center opening this year. The Center, which will encompass many of the tribe's ideals and values in its architecture and design, is described as providing a high-tech, high-touch approach to the building for the staff and users.

"I can tell you that it wouldn't be there if it were not for the casino, which funded the lion's share of its cost," Fatland stated. "Nor would the tribe have a child care center, college, upcoming K-12 school, and many of the things that governments should pay for."

The bottom line is that now the Muckleshoot Tribe no longer has to wait for the government to catch up to the needs of its people. The evidence of this new health equity is displayed across many sites of the Muckleshoot tribe's web pages, including news announcing health events ranging from the ground-breaking ceremonies for the Wellness Center and the opening of a diabetes clinic, to colorful photos of a Family Health Fair. Such activities are anchored by the tribe's health mission: to strengthen mind, body, heart and spirit and thus enable patients to improve their overall quality of life. This mission is bolstered and funded by casino dollars.

Another success story in Washington is the Swinomish Tribe, which runs the Northern Lights Casino in Skagit County. With an annual payroll of $15 million, the casino employs over 500 people and generates revenue that helps the tribe's long-term economic outlook. The tribe at one time employed part-time physicians to treat members in a double-wide trailer, but no longer is that the case. After an increase in tribal revenues from fishing and their small casino, the Swinomish hired their first full-time physician and opened a new state-of-the-art medical center. Brian Cladoosby, chairman of the tribe, has been very vocal about the importance of health care funding, especially preventative programs that reflect his tribe's commitment to the future.