WASHINGTON – On Thursday, June 9, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will visit the Spokane Tribe of Indians in Washington State to meet with tribal and community leaders to commemorate their selection earlier this week as a Promise Zone by the Obama Administration.
President Obama established the Promise Zones Initiative in 2014 to address the challenges facing rural and tribal communities by assisting them in their efforts to create jobs, expand educational opportunities, increase economic activity, leverage private investment and reduce violent crime.
Promise Zones provide tailored assistance based on the specific needs of a community and promote collaboration between private business and federal, state and local officials; faith-based and non-profit organizations; and striving kids and parents. Communities must compete in a transparent application process and demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of their local partners' commitment in order to become Promise Zones.
The proposed Spokane Tribe of Indians Promise Zone includes the Spokane Indian Reservation (160,000 square acres) and all lands held in trust by the federal government on behalf of the Spokane Tribe, which includes 180 acres near Chewelah, WA, and another 145 acres in Airway Heights, WA.
Who:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Bodie Shaw, Deputy Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Josh Cohen, Deputy Administrator, Rural Utility Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Carol Evans, Chairwoman, Spokane Tribal Business Council
Community and tribal leaders
What:
Visit with Spokane Tribe of Indians to Commemorate Presidential Promise Zone Designation
When:
Thursday, June 9, 2016
8:45 AM PDT – Tour of tribal community followed by brief media availability
Where:
Spokane Tribe of Indians
Alfred McCoy Administration Building
6195 Ford-Wellpinit Road
Wellpinit, WA 99040
Media:
Credentialed members of the media are encouraged to RSVP here.
Source: Department of Interior
