DUCK VALLEY, ID – After decades of being the only tribe in Idaho without revenue from tribal gaming, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes have begun the process of developing their first resort and casino along I-84 halfway between Boise and Mountain Home. The project will reconnect tribal members to their ancestral homelands and provide them with an important tool for self-reliance and tribal sovereignty.
“I dream of a future where our members have the resources, education, healthcare and employment opportunities they need to care for their families and preserve our way of life,” said Shoshone-Paiute Chairman Brian Mason. “A future where our children have hope and believe the best days are still ahead of them. Today, we have no meaningful economic opportunities and our community is facing some heavy challenges because of it. We want to solve our own problems and provide for our people. Tribal gaming will allow us to make these dreams into a reality.”
In addition to benefits for tribal members, the project will partner with and benefit the local communities in southern Idaho. The proposed resort and casino is estimated to generate tens of millions of dollars annually for Idaho’s economy and create thousands of well-paying jobs, making it a major regional employer and economic driver. Additionally, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes would dedicate five percent of their net gaming revenues to support local schools and education programs.
Recent survey data shows more than 70 percent of Idahoans overwhelmingly support the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes in building and operating their first and only casino between Boise and Mountain Home. The excitement is even higher among individuals who live closest to the proposed location, with nearly 80 percent in support of the project.
The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes are partnering with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe to make the project a reality. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe, who has successfully and responsibly run gaming operations in Idaho for more than 30 years, will provide a large upfront investment to help with the permitting and development process. Once the resort and casino is built, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe will enter into a management contract with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes to work together to ensure the resort and casino delivers an exceptional gaming experience and benefits tribal members and Idahoans alike.
“We have experienced the transformative power of gaming and we are honored to be able to help our brothers and sisters secure those same benefits,” said Coeur d’Alene Chairman Chief Allan. “When I was growing up, many tribal members lived in poverty and could not find jobs. Today, we have a state-of-the-art medical center, ample employment for tribal members and can financially support every tribal member who wants to earn a college degree. None of this would be possible without tribal gaming.”
On the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, tribal members currently face exceptionally high rates of suicide and unemployment. The Shoshone-Paiute community also struggles to provide emergency services due to its remote location. Medical emergencies require lifesaving air transportation to Boise, which takes at least 45 minutes. A typical 911 call takes upwards of two hours to be answered because there are no tribal law enforcement officers exclusively dedicated to serving Duck Valley. Education funding is a major issue and the school cannot attract enough certified teachers because of limited housing and other resources in the area.
“The challenges we face daily are not insurmountable,” said Chairman Mason. “We simply need resources to invest in long-term solutions for our people. Gaming will give us the tools we need to strengthen our community, grow our infrastructure and provide more opportunities to our youth for generations to come.”
The project will be located on ancestral Shoshone-Paiute land near the border of Ada and Elmore Counties. The area holds deep spiritual and cultural significance and is a place where the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes used to live, hunt and care for the natural resources. They envision a resort and casino with the latest tribal gaming machines, luxury hotel rooms, spa, entertainment center and fine dining options. In order to build this project on tribal land outside of the reservation, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes will follow the established process set out by the U.S. Department of the Interior and plan to submit their initial application later this year.
Collectively, tribal gaming in Idaho generates more than $1.4 billion of annual economic activity, over $47 million in annual tax revenue and sustains 12,500 well-paying jobs for Idahoans. Tribal gaming has existed in Idaho for more than 32 years. During this time, federal, state and tribal regulations have protected consumers by preventing cheating and fraudulent practices and ensuring the right amount of revenues go where the federal, tribal and state governments have designated. The Shoshone-Paiute’s resort and casino project would further increase revenue and jobs for the state, while lifting the tribes from their reliance on the federal government.
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