We asked five tribal leaders to share top priorities for their tribes and how gaming supports those goals; how innovation is shaping decisions across their gaming and hospitality portfolios; and how they approach leadership development to promote long-term stability and growth. Here is what Spokane Tribe Chairman Greg Abrahamson had to say…
Greg Abrahamson, Chairman
Spokane Tribe of Indians
Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino – Airway Heights, WA; Mistequa Casino Hotel – Chewelah, WA
spokanetribecasino.com / mistequa.com / spokanetribe.com
PRIORITIES: Our tribe’s top priority is our people. Without their support, we could not build a strong economic engine that advances the well-being of everyone in our community.
One of our most important priorities is improving the health and well-being of our people. This work encompasses many interconnected needs that are essential to our survival, economic growth, and the future of generations to come. We are making significant progress in addressing unmet medical needs by recruiting more professional healthcare providers and expanding essential programs and services.
We are also working to create housing opportunities for people at all income levels, not only those with low incomes. Through education, we are investing in the development of our own professionals and future leaders. At the same time, we remain committed to sustaining our language and culture and protecting the natural resources that are central to our identity and way of life.
Revenue from gaming enables us to provide employment, services, and programs while diversifying our economy and creating new opportunities for our people. Indian gaming has proved to be a powerful economic driver for the Spokane people and tribal nations across the country.
INNOVATION: Innovation guides our decisions. As demand for gaming and hospitality continues to grow, we have expanded our operations by building two new hotels. Continued growth will create opportunities to develop a wider variety of venues, businesses, and services that support both our gaming operations and the broader needs of our community.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: We invest in education to help our people build the skills needed to lead our tribe and its enterprises. Within our casinos, the Manager in Training program provides tribal members with practical experience and a pathway into management and leadership positions.
We also work with our middle and high schools to introduce students to educational, career, and leadership opportunities. By engaging our youth early, we are preparing the next generation to become professionals, managers, cultural leaders, and responsible stewards of our tribe’s future.