Spokane Tribal Business Council News

11/08/2026

Reminder General Council next Saturday.

11/08/2026

The Spokane Tribal Council met with Mayor Lisa Brown this week for our Annual visit. We discussed current projects we have with the City parks department in River Front park, and placing signage around the city in various trail locations. We also discussed the Cora property, which the Spokane Tribe owns. This is an area with cultural significance and we want to prevent any further or future disruption to the site. We also discussed a potential visioning project for the Spokane River and the Little Spokane and bringing several key stakeholders together. The recent fires was part of the discussion as well and finding solutions to help our members and the Spokane Communities impacted by fire. We thank Mayor Brown and her staff for the positive working relationship with the Spokane Tribe.

10/18/2026

Former Spokane Tribal Councilman Richard Garry has passed. Please keep his family in your prayers.

10/18/2026

10/18/2026

Earlier this week, Chairman Abrahamson and Secretary Tonasket attended the 37th Annual Centennial Accord, hosted by the Snoqualmie Tribe. The meeting is between the 29 Tribes of Washington, the Umatilla and Nez Perce Tribes who have territories in Washington State, and the Governor and State Departments.

There are months of planning that goes into this meeting. Topics discussed consisted of Natural Resources, Habitat resortoration, Water resources, Salmon Recovery, Wildfires, Flooding, Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery, Energy, Data Centers, Health and Social Services, , Housing, Education, Economies and more.

Secretary Tonasket served as a co-moderator for the Governors Health Advisory Council (GIHAC) and for Education. Secretary Tonasket shared the work that has been done with the Washington State Tribal Fentynal and Opioid Task Force and the priorities that were developed during the Health summit last month. Secretary Tonasket serves as a Co-Chair on the Washington State Task Force and leads the Housing and Wrap Around Services work group. Two of the priorities were for the State to continue the 10% set aside for Tribes and also to reallocate existing State funds to Housing needs. The (GIHAC) panel discussed Rural Health Transformation, medicaid, Behavorial Health, and Substance use treatment options and needs, Traditional Health care practices, and other Healthcare related matters. The Governor and Tribal Leaders Social Services Council (GTLSSC) discussed priority issues consisting of the Tribal General Welfare benefits and SNAP Geographic waiver, DCYF regional realignment, pre-legislative session work on ICWA, the Housing Trust fund and the Dept of Corrections Tribal engagement in Religious programs and cultural events.

On the Education panel, Secretary Tonasket and Chairman Leonard Forseman co-moderated the session. Topics included the compliance of the John McCoy Since Time Immemorial basic education compliance, OSPI Data, Budget impacts, Prevention in schools, and Federal Administration Policies impacting the Department of Education and Legislation related to a smudge policy for Higher Ed institutions.

Tribal Leaders and the Governor and State Departments met over two days. The final day consisted of Tribal Leaders meeting with State Departments regarding Natural Resources matters.

Chairman Abrahamson and Secretary Tonasket both shared information regarding specific impacts to the Spokane Tribe in some of the above mentioned discussion topics. There will be follow up meetings on several items to ensure matters are addressed.

09/29/2026

9/28/26

The Spokane Tribe Of Indians Council Secretary, Monica Tonasket speaking during Governor Ferguson's press conference. The Spokane Tribe joined in the States request for Federal Individual Assistance from FEMA for the Mitre Rock Fire victims.

09/29/2026

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09/24/2026

Today I was able to do a Welcome address at the ATALM Conference. (Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums)This year the Spokane Tribe was the host with John Matt serving as the Chairman and Gena Peone as the Co-Chair. They done a Fabulous job! We had our Colorguard along with our neighbor Tribes, and Bill Matt Sr. Did the Blessing. Warren Seyler provided an amazing presentation on Spokane Tribal History. There is about 1200 participants at the conference at the Convention center. There were a few awards given today as well. The late great George Flett was recognized and received the Distinguished Artist Award. His Artwork was selected for this year's conference. His Daughter Regina Flett accepted the award on behalf of her Dad.

One of the most heartwarming parts of this event was the gifts that John, his Dad and his Son John Matt Jr. Provided for all the guests. They prepared smoked salmon and smoked Elk. They worked on this all last week. The Spokane Tribe Preservation dept staff helped package it. John shared how he learned from his Dad and his Yaya how it is important to feed, or gift those that visit you. That is how it is when friends and family come to your home. This was a good teaching shared today. Everyone who played a part in todays doings did an amazing job.

There are several vendors at the conference too. They are from all over the country. If you get a chance to get away, stop in there and support them.

Great job Spokane Tribe! Thank you to each of you who contributed to this great event. ❤️

Council Secretary,
Monica Tonasket

08/11/2026

07/30/2026

Notice to Spokane Tribal Members

A General Welfare payment of $200 will be distributed to all enrolled members on August 21, 2026.

There will be no holds.

The payment will be distributed as usual. If you have Direct Deposit it will be distributed as such. If you don't have Direct Deposit, it will be distributed through regular mail.