Nez Perce Tribe Presents Vision for Community Collaboration

The Nez Perce Tribe held a significant presentation this week at the Red Wolf Golf Club in Clarkston, focusing on their history, aspirations, and commitment to fostering strong community relations. Local elected officials from Asotin County, Clarkston, Nez Perce County, and surrounding areas attended the two-hour session to learn more about the tribe’s contributions to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.

During the event, Chairperson Shannon Wheeler underscored the tribe’s desire to collaborate with community leaders for mutual benefit. She highlighted the tribe’s past contributions to local schools, organizations, and the economy, emphasizing their role as a vital stakeholder in the region. Speakers elaborated on the tribe’s significant social, economic, and political influence, as well as their rich cultural heritage and the implications of being a sovereign nation.

“When the tribe comes to town, we bring a lot to the community,” Wheeler stated. “We want to be the best neighbor you have.” The Nez Perce Tribe stands as the third-largest employer in the region, providing around 1,500 jobs to local residents. With more than 3,500 enrolled members, the tribe originally inhabited parts of present-day Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, including the land on which the golf club is situated.

“Our people have always maintained connections to these places,” said Nakia Williamson, manager of the cultural resources program. “We want to create partnerships in good faith with no ulterior motives.”

In 2019, the Nez Perce Tribe purchased the Red Wolf Golf Club, currently applying to place the land in trust. If this application succeeds, the club may introduce sports betting and card games. In addition, the tribe recently acquired the former Umpqua Bank building on Diagonal Street in downtown Clarkston, also undergoing the trust application process. However, no gaming activities are planned for this location, according to Nikoli Greene, executive officer of Nez Perce Tribal Enterprises. The site has been cleaned up, but future plans remain undecided.

“We are stronger and more vibrant when we work together,” Greene told attendees, reinforcing the tribe’s commitment to collaboration. At the conclusion of the presentation, the elected officials introduced themselves, many expressing gratitude for the information shared and a desire to maintain positive relations with the tribe.

“We won’t always agree on everything, but we can always work together,” remarked Brian Shinn, Asotin County Commissioner. The meeting served as an important step in building bridges between the Nez Perce Tribe and local government entities, laying the groundwork for future cooperation.