W. Ron Allen, Chairman
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
Sequim, WA
7cedars.com / jamestowntribe.org
Our tribe established a self-reliance goal a long time ago to advance our self-governance vision. We believe that, even though the federal government provides approximately $32 billion or so across the various federal programs serving Indian Country, it can’t or won’t ever provide the true needs of our tribal communities. I have always felt the true annual need for Indian Country is north of the $250-$300 billion level. The federal government doesn’t have the will to provide those needed resources.
We believe that we must stay focused on the tribal business arm of our government to provide for our needs. Jamestown, like many of our sister tribes, is continuing to diversify our economic portfolio. The construction industry is doing well in our local economy, and we are taking advantage of it with our construction operations (e.g., excavation, surveying and concrete businesses). Our Northwest Native Art gallery is doing well as is our Airbnb business. With the e-commerce market and communication system continuing to expand, our tribe is continuing to broaden our operations to take advantage of those opportunities (e.g., cell towers and telemarketing our products). For our tribe, the seafood industry provides a great opportunity for our shellfish and hatchery operations and continues to expand, including pursuing fish farms with natural Northwest species such as steelhead and sablefish.
We are blessed to have a small casino that allows us to get into the gaming industry, which is complemented with a small resort and golf course, and we and are continuing to expand those properties with a new RV park and additional C-stores. We recently expanded with a sports gambling venue, but our market is too small for it to make a difference except to be an additional amenity for the gaming market. Our focus for the immediate future is how to enhance our hospitality component of the property. We have high hopes for an expanded Phase II to add another tower and convention center, but we are a few years away from that part of our vision.
