News

World Caribou Day - 6.6.24

Mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus) occupied the Selkirk Mountains for as long as seventy-five thousand years, it’s only been half a decade since the last of the Southern Selkirk Mountain herd…

Why is the month of June called sx̣ʷeʔlí spq̓niʔs the "Camas Month" ?

sx̣ʷeʔlí spq̓niʔs, means The Camas Month. History and information on what happened during The Camas Month: Camas were examined to see if it was the correct time to dig…

Why is the month of May called speƛ̓m spq̓niʔs the "Bitterroot Month" ?

speƛ̓m spq̓niʔs, known as “Bitterroot Month”. Bitterroot was dug before it bloomed. This was an important first foods of the people. History and information on what happened during Bitterroot…

Why is April called sčiyálmn spq̓niʔs "The Buttercup Month"?

sčiyálmn spq̓niʔs, known as "The Buttercup Month," The Buttercup was said to be the first flower that bloomed in the Spring. A sign to the people, that soon the…

Why is March called k̓ʷsixʷ spq̓niʔs (The Geese's Month) ?

“K̓ʷsixʷ Spq̓niʔs” (The Geese’s Month), known as the spring month. This is the time that the geese are migrating back north from their vacation down south. History/Information on what…

Recognizing the Women in our Public Safety Department

In honor of Women’s History Month, we pause to shine a spotlight on the remarkable women within our Kalispel Tribal Public Safety team. These unsung heroes stand at the…

Why is February called čqʷosqn spq̓niʔs (Coldest Month) ?

The end of “Skʷssús Spq̓niʔs” (January) was a cold and bad month with snow. At the beginning of “Čqʷosqn Spq̓niʔs”, Mothers would tell their children to go outside and…

January is Trafficking Awareness Month

Human Trafficking Human trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation. Many people think that trafficking happens to other people…

Hunting & Fishing on Kalispel Tribal Property

It has come to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians attention that there has been some confusion regarding hunting and fishing on the Tribe’s lands and issues regarding poaching and…

Media Advisory: Kalispel Tribe and WSU collaborate on 5,000-year-old archeological excavation

Ancient Tribal earth ovens built long before the Egyptian pyramids are being excavated as part of the first archeological project ever made public by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians…

Give Survivors Voices: Ribbons Around The Reservation

As we are all very aware, many members of our community, including our family and close friends, have experienced victimization to varying degrees. Grief, abuse, and exploitation have become all…

Camas Institute Foundation receives $25,000.00 from the Community Accelerator Grant Funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation in collaboration with ArtsFund

We are proud to announce that Camas Institute Foundation is a recipient of a Community Accelerator Grant funded by the [insert social tag] Instagram – @pga_familyfdn LinkedIn – @pgafamilyfdn…

Camas Institute Foundation receives $10,000.00 from the First Nations Development Institute (FNDI) under the Native Language Immersion Initiative

A $10,000.00 gift from the FNDI, made possible through the Sunderland Foundation’s generous support, will support the Kalispel Language and Culture Alliance (KCLA) efforts. The work of the Kalispel…

Louie Bluff

I have worked for the tribe since 2011 in summer youth. I started at Northern Quest in 2014 as a Table Games Dealer where I worked my way up to…

Snow Safety for Kids: 5 Things to Know

Don't Let Your Kids Dig Forts in Snowbanks Snowbank tunnels are very dangerous and are not structurally sound. If a fort should collapse, a child may become trapped and…

Trefor Rickey

What department do you work in and what is your job title? Department Manager for Slot Operations and Security at the Kalispel Casino How long have you been employed by…

Amanda Riendeau

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work for Kalispel Public Safety and I am the Administrative Coordinator for the South How long have…

Heidi Jones

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I am a Slot Supervisor in the Slot Operations department. In other words, I supervise on the casino…

Haley Thompson

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work in the administrative department; I am a registration specialist for The Camas Center Clinic. How long…

Katie Saunders

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work in the Food and Beverage Department as a server. How long have you been employed by…

Justine Brockie

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work for Kalispel Public Safety and I am the Public Safety Administrative Coordinator for the North department…

Jeron Konkright

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work for the Camas Early Learning Center as the program manager. How long have you been employed…

Cody Bradley

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I am the closing bartender at the Slough bar inside the Kalispel Casino. How long have you been…

Stephanie Atwood

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I am the Food and Beverage Manager for Kalispel Casino. How long have you been employed by the…

Jocelin Nenema

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work at The Camas Center Clinic as a Certified Medical Assistant. What’s the best thing about your…

Clay Pierson

How long have you been employed by the Kalispel Tribe? Approximately eight years with the Kalispel Tribe but almost two additional years with NQRC working security before I became a…

Luis Almonte Vargas

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I am the morning bartender at the Slough bar inside the Kalispel Casino. How long have you been…

Jessica Pagaling

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work at the Kalispel Casino as a cage cashier and part of the soft count team. How…

Jalen Roastingstick

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work in the Kalispel Slot Operations department, and I am a Slot Floor Supervisor at the Kalispel…

Martina Nomee

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work for the Food and Beverage department at Wetlands inside the Kalispel Casino. How long have you…

Sadie Whitehouse

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work at the Kalispel Casino as the Cage shift manager. How long have you been employed by…

Bart George

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I am the wildlife program manager for Kalispel Natural Resources Department. (KNRD) How long have you worked for…

Casey Bailey

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work for the Food and Beverage department at Wetlands as the lead server inside the Kalispel Casino…

Ellery Addison

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work in the Kalispel Casino in Information Technology as Desktop Support. How long have you been employed…

Leslie Graff

What department do you work in and what is your job title? Victim Assistance Services/Victim of Crime Advocate How long have you been employed by the Tribe? 5 years

Corina Dick-Nomee

What department do you work in and what is your job title? Camas Center Clinic- Medical Reception Specialist How long have you been employed by the Tribe? I have been…

Annette Hall

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I am the Mental Health Clinical Manager for Camas Path Behavioral Health. My office is located in the…

Jaime Hopoi

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I am the Physical Therapist for the Camas Health Clinic. Where did you grow up? I was born…

The Coldest Month & Curly-Hair Month

During this time, our people, who would have been scattered across the land in various locations, would gather together to form winter camps to help each other survive. These…

Johnna Konkright

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I am the Program Manager for the Pend Oreille Valley CASA Program. You’ll find me at the North…

Jenni Seger

What department do you work in and what is your job title? Kalispel Tribal Court as a Court Clerk II How long have you been employed by the Tribe? I…

Jacky Roberg

What department do you work in and what is your job title? Kalispel Metal Products. Administrative Office Assistant. How long have you been employed by the Tribe? 10 months, …

Joel Adams

Where did you grow up? I was born on the Flathead Indian Reservation in St. Ignatius, MT, and was raised in Missoula Montana

Jacob Avina

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work in the Marketing department, and my job title is Visual Content Creator. I get the opportunity…

Megan Scott

I work for the Kalispel Tribal Court as a Court Clerk II. How long have you been employed by the Tribe? A year at the end of October. What’s the…

Saydele Haynes

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work at Tribal Court as a Filing Clerk and Administrative Assistant. How long have you been employed…

Allyson Bluff

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work at the Kalispel Tribal Court as the Justice System Strategic Plan Coordinator. How long have you…

Darlene Auld

Norma Diesen

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I work in the Kalispel Tribe finance department as a Loan Specialist. What is the best thing about…

Amanda Kirk

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I work in the Human Resource department as the Compensation Coordinator. What is the best thing about your…

Lucretia Gill

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I am the Program Manager at Kalispel Tribe Victim Services What is the best thing about your job…

Tina Nenema

What department do you work in and what is your job title NQRC Executive Team Resort Experience Project Manager What’s the best thing about your job? Implementing the WOW for…

Megan Heller

What department do you work in, and what is your job title? I am a Compensation Analyst for Human Resources in the Compensation Department.

Marla Mackey

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I am the Student Resources Specialist at The Camas Learning Center.

David Nenema

What’s the best thing about your job? There are lots of great things about my job, if I had to pick one thing that stands out on top I would…

Tom Ling

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I am an Operations Specialist and I work for the Kalispel Tribe Public Safety Department.

Jacob Fox

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I am the Training Captain for the Kalispel Tribal Fire Department.

Cory Swennumson

What department do you work in and what is your job title? I work under the Kalispel Tribal Court. I am the Juvenile Justice Coordinator.

Corrie Johnson

Corrie Johnson I work at the Kalispel Tribal Public Safety Department as the Fire Chief and Emergency Manager.

Sylvia Meshell

Sylvia Meshell I work at the Kalispel Tribal finance department as the event coordinator. What’s the best thing about your job? Planning holiday parties 😊

Marcella Haynes

Marcella “Cella” Haynes Kalispel Tribe has been my lifetime home. I was born in Newport WA, we lived with my mom’s auntie Adaline Nomee “Grandma Addy” at this time my…

Mari Cabe

My name is Mari Fast Fawn Cabe. I was born in Spokane, WA, and raised in Deer Park, WA. I continued to live there till I was in my early…

Alisha Athos

What’s the best thing about your job? Of course, learning my Tribe’s language and culture, but the kids I get to teach, are my blood, my nieces, and nephews. I…

Paul Mackey

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I am a membership services representative at The Camas Center for Community Wellness.

Caytlin Nenema

Caytlin Nenema I work at La Rive Spa as a Concierge. What’s the best thing about your job? Working in such a small, close team.

Jessie Isadore

What’s the best thing about your job? It’s hard to narrow it down to just one thing. I love my job and the people that I work with. It’s a…

Kalispel Language Survival School

Our traditions and our language are what make the Kalispel people who we are today. The language ties us to the land, our relations, and our past.

Eric Finley

What’s the best thing about your job? This job has many great things, however, I would say that the one that sticks out to me the most would be seeing…

Shantel Whitford

I am the Marketing Supervisor for the Kalispel Tribe. I provide direct support for all of the Tribe’s North eight enterprises by running all social media such as FaceBook, Instagram…

Colene Rubertt

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I am the Director of Career Training & Mentoring. I work within Camas Path, however the nature of…

Mike Lithgow

Mike Lithgow I am the Information and Outreach Coordinator for Kalispel Tribe Natural Resource Department since 2016. One day is never the same as the next. I might be working…

Debbie Flett

What is the best thing about your job? Helping ensure that my fellow tribal members and client get the best health care available.

Yolanda Bowman

Briefly describe what your workday looks like? Checking in with the boss for any special projects and just to say good morning. Responding to emails and phone calls. Setting up…

Jodie Pierre

What is the best thing about your job? I love working with our Tribal Members to find the perfect job for them and helping them build their skills into a…

Sue Benson

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? I work at Tribal Headquarters as an Administrative Assistant/Receptionist.

Dr. Beth McQuinn

What is the best thing about your job? I truly enjoy the people I work with and the patients I see. Each day is brand new and has its own…

Dr. David Pacey

Briefly describe what your workday looks like? First thing in the morning I meet with the staff of the Dental clinic. We discuss covid19 issues and review the schedule for…

Alia Russell

I oversee the day to day operations of Kalispel Casino. My responsibilities include forecasting gaming revenue and food and beverage revenue, as well as maintaining budgets for expenses. The goal…

Vince Linnell

What is your Job Title and what department do you work in? Police Officer with the Kalispel Tribal Police Department

Sky Pagaling

I am the Career Readiness Advisor at The Kalispel Development Company. I work with tribal members to help them become skilled and desirable applicants. I advise with resumes, mock interviews…

RJ Nomee

RJ Nomee I am the Health & Fitness Manager at The Camas Center for Community Wellnes

Anna Armstrong

Anna Armstrong I am the Director of Education at Kalispel Tribe. I have worked at The Camas Learning Center since 2005. I love sharing the Kalispel history and I was…

April Johnson

April Johnson I am a Certified Medical Assistant and you can find me at Camas Center Clinic. My days here at the clinic are never the same. I think that’s…

Nicole Andrews

Every day in my job is different. It all depends on the day of the week and what month it is on my tasks. Usually entails insurance billing, filing, scanning…

Charlene Castillo

My job entails the following programs: Rental Assistance, Down Payment Assistance, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Renovation Program and Assist all tenants with any problems they may have with…

Test - Employee Spotlight

Madi Casto

What department do you work in and what is your job title? My job title is Associate Planner and I work in the Planning and Public Works Department

Nicole Augustine

My title is revenue auditor. I collect and process finances. I also do inventory for the local businesses we acquire. As the auditor, I am responsible to investigate any peculiar…

Welcome from Dr. Clayton Kersting

I would like to introduce myself, Dr. Clayton Kersting, I am the new Medical Director of the Camas Center Clinic. I am new to the clinic but not to…

Helping Those on the Front Lines, Stitch by Stitch

Karen Campbell wanted to do what she could to help those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, and now she is doing that, stitch by stitch. Because of…

Tribal Member Spotlight: Paul Renaud

We lived in Spokane for about 5-6 years and our boys were getting to that age where they were able to open doors, open the fence outside and start walking…

Better Employment Starts Today

Kalispel Career Training Center adds “Better Employment Starts Today” also known as “BEST” to services under the Kalispel Tribe’s Workforce Enhancement Initiative:

Camas Early Learning Center

he Camas Early Learning Center provides a fun and safe learning environment for all the kids enrolled. In October, Pre-K, Preschool and Toddler classrooms went to the pumpkin patch at…

A Salute to our Veterans!

In honor of Veteran’s Day, we’d like to salute the service of our Kalispel Veterans who have fought to protect our country and our way of life. Native Americans…

Kalispel Brush-1 Hits the Fire Trail Region Wide

On August 6th, firefighters from three different Kalispel Tribe departments were sent, along with their wildland engine, to assist with firefighting efforts on the Crescent Mountain Fire in the Okanogan/Wenatchee…

Rising Star, Tribal Member Brandon Haugen

Every year, the Spokane Journal of Business releases its list of “Rising Stars”, recognizing emerging business leaders and influencers within the community. This year, Tribal member Brandon Haugen was nominated…

K9 Unit Visits Camas Center

One of the newest additions to the Kalispel Public Safety Department made an appearance at the Camas Center last Thursday. Along with Officer Clay Pierson, Brandy, a four year Dutch…

Caribou Recovery Project

The Kalispel Tribe’s Department of Natural Resources is helping to recover the last population of “reindeer” or Caribou in the lower 48 states. Caribou or “reindeer” are part of…

Wellness and Balance in 2018

New year’s resolutions often include singular goals like losing weight, stopping smoking, or starting an exercise routine. But did you know that 80% of new year’s resolutions fail just a…

Recap of Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Cusick School District

During the month of October, the Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services Program and the Cusick School District worked together in bringing awareness of domestic violence to Cusick School District students…

Australian Students Visit the Kalispel Reservation

A group of travelers from Australia visited the Kalispel Reservation on November 1 as part of the USA/Aboriginal Cultural Exchange Study Tour. The program students, who are from different…

Camas Dig

June 28, 2017 Tribal youth went on a field trip to gather Camas bulbs, they left the CELC in a van and the tribal bus and rode north a couple…

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month

Not restricted to physical abuse, elders are likely targets of financial fraud and identity theft. They are attractive targets to the perpetrators because elders often have disabilities that make them…

Public Safety Awareness Day

The Kalispel Tribe hosted a Public Safety Awareness Day Wednesday, May 31 at the Powwow Grounds and Camas Center. Students from Cusick, Selkirk, House of the Lord, and Deer Park…

Noxious Weed Management

One of the focus areas of the Kalispel Tribe Natural Resource Department’s (KNRD) Integrated Invasive Species Management Guidance is to control terrestrial noxious weeds. These non-native invaders have a tendency…

Nathan Piengkham in Standing Rock

Warren, my baby brother, was there at my side most the time. I was introduced to Standing Rock with the canoe paddle in September. My family and about fourteen others…

KNRD’s Role in Managing our Landscape

KNRD’s fundamental challenge is to provide tribal members with an opportunity to engage in the same cultural practices as their ancestors. This is a formidable task for a host of…

Cultural Presentation at West Valley City School

West Valley City School in Spokane recently hosted three members of the KTI Cultural Department. Sixty middle school students from the project-based learning center listened as Francis and Wilma Cullooyah…

Forestry Study at Indian Creek

The Kalispel Tribal Indian Creek property, located about 12 miles southeast of the reservation, is the site of a new study proposed by Syringa Eccological Consulting, LLC., in conjuction…

Chief Loyola - Ečswiš smx̣éy̓čn

Many Tribal Members are familiar with Chief Massaslaw and Massaslaw’s father Chief Victor. Chief Loyola, however, is much less talked about. Chief Loyola was one of the most influential…

Kalispel Plateau Dress Discovered in England

A recent discovery at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, England proves be one of the oldest plateau dresses in existence. It was collected in 1841 by E.M. Hopkins of…

Kalispel Career Training Center Update

If you haven’t been across the river lately to visit the old Caseline building you are in for a big surprise. There is a transformation going on right now that…