August 25, 2004
Colville tribes, UW alliance to advance economic growth and education
A new collaboration between the University of Washington Business School, Colville Tribal Enterprise Corp. and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation has been created to support and promote economic growth of the tribes’ industries through executive education and leadership courses to all levels of the corporation.
The Colville Confederation is the largest employer in North Central Washington with more than 1,000 people working in such diversified industries as tourism, construction, timber and gaming. The confederation generates revenues of more than $100 million annually.
The agreement was announced today during the 2004 Tribal Economic Development Summit held in Shelton. Representatives of tribes throughout the state attended the three-day conference that aims to strengthen tribal economic self-sufficiency.
Joe Pakootas, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, said investing in economic development projects is vital to the tribes’ future.
“We have excelled financially in recent years but if we expect to reach total economic self-sufficiency then we must seriously consider encouraging our future leaders to explore such opportunities in higher education as this partnership with the UW Business School will provide,” Pakootas said.
The UW Business School will work closely with the tribal enterprise corporation and other economic development entities and local governments in the Okanogan region to develop coordinated strategies to grow key industry sectors. The UW will promote basic business education through recruitment to its undergraduate business programs, develop and deliver targeted executive education courses and participate in annual strategic planning sessions with tribal members.
Eddie Palmanteer Jr., Colville Tribal Enterprise Corp’s president, said the formal partnership is beneficial to all.
“Customizing tribal management courses and teaching them on our reservation will benefit our managers and promote their professional development,” said Palmanteer Jr. The UW faculty will in turn learn about tribal economic development culture as it relates to business.”
“We believe that quality innovative business education will improve business practices and lead to the creation of prosperity for individuals and communities, not only in Eastern Washington but also across the globe,” said Vance Roley, acting dean of the Business School. “This collaboration with the corporation and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation reinforces our commitment and efforts to forge partnerships that extend the reach and impact of our mission.”
Advanced business education seminars will be offered to Colville Confederation members starting in early next year following final design of the curriculum to meet the corporation’s needs.
###
For more information, contact Pakootas at (509) 634-2215 or joe.pakootas@colvilletribes.com; Palmanteer Jr. at (509) 634-3259; or Roley at (206) 685-3622 or vroley@u.washington.edu
