Coeur D'Alene People - Modern Times

Modern Times

There are approximately 2,000 enrolled members in the tribe. Tribal businesses include the Coeur d'Alene Casino, Hotel, and Circling Raven Golf Course facilities north of Worley, Idaho. Tribal gaming employs about 500 and generates about $20 million in profits annually, funding programs and creating economic development and diversity. The tribe operates the Benewah Automotive Center, the Benewah Market, and Ace Hardware located in Plummer, Idaho.

The tribal farm covers about 6,000 acres (24 km²) and produces wheat, barley, peas, lentils, and canola. The tribe also has invested in two businesses, a manufacturing plant BERG Integrated Systems, and a bakery HearthBread Bakery, both in which the tribe owns a majority share.

Cities in which the tribe reside include DeSmet, Harrison (a small part, population 1), Parkline, Plummer, St. Maries (part, population 734), Tensed, and Worley.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has a health care facility which opened in 1998 named the Benewah Medical Center. The center was recognized as a national model for Indian Health Care and rural health care. The clinic provides comprehensive primary care services including dental, mental health services and community health outreach services to both the Native American population and general community.

Tribal traditions include a respect and reverence for natural law, and for responsible environmental stewardship. The tribe is active in the protection, conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources; as well as conservation issues that impact tribal resources. U.S. courts recently ruled that the tribe has jurisdiction over the lower third of Lake Coeur d’Alene in United States v. Idaho, as well as 20 miles (32 km) of the St. Joe River. The State of Idaho is appealled that decision and lost at the United States Supreme Court.

The 1998 film Smoke Signals was set in the Coeur d'Alene Reservation and focused on the personal journey of two young men from the Coeur d'Alene people.