Snoqualmie: Sacred games: Snoqualmie, tribal leaders speak out on continental connection - Whatever other titles he may hold, Snoqualmie tribal member Marvin Kempf is a born storyteller. Creation, the monster of the mountain, and battling giants, are all easily-recalled legends from his culture, and ones he loves to share. His favorite story right now, though, is about a people whose history and culture extends back 13,000 years, farther than Judaism, farther than Chinese culture. The people are his own, linked from coast to coast and from the top to the bottom of North America. The best part of the story? It’s completely true, with physical evidence to prove it. A 13,000 year-old pair of sticks carved from mammoth bone, and a large sharp stone knife, or Clovis point, found near Wenatchee several years ago, are the proof, and the link to tribes all over the country, he says.

Snoqualmie: Tribe member celebrates Mother Joseph Day with stories, songs - John Mullen, a member of the Snoqualmie Tribe, has been a carver and sort of spokesman and educator for the tribe for about 11 years. In addition to spreading and teaching the Snoqualmie tradition of carving, Mullen also carries on the tribe’s tradition of singing and drumming.

Snoqualmie: Major Snoqualmie Tribe donation helps Wildcat football - Snoqualmie Indian Tribe gave Mount Si's Wildcat Booster Football Club a big boost recently with a sponsorship of $10,000. The donation helps pay for player development, training for coaches, new equipment and uniforms, academic assistance, technology improvements, and increased playing opportunities for students, said Booster Club president Jeff Mitchell.

Snoqualmie: Tribe hosts Earth Day event at Sandy Cove Park - The Snoqualmie Tribe is hosting an Earth Day event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 20 at Sandy Cove Park, 7970 Falls Ave. S.E., in downtown Snoqualmie. Learn more by contacting Lisamari Emery at lisamari@snoqualmienation.com or 888-6551, ext. 2103.

Snoqualmie: Luck be an ashtray tonight - According to indiangaming.com, after the Washington smoking ban became law, “the revenues of 30 of the largest nontribal casinos in the state, which had previously been increasing in excess of 13 percent per year, suddenly fell 14 percent.” The Snoqualmie Casino boasts a much-appreciated nonsmoking slot machine area and each of its restaurants, as well as the Poker Room, are nonsmoking. “Are there nonsmoking areas?” is even listed as a frequently asked question on the casino’s website. Casino officials are aware of changing societal norms when it comes to who smokes where.

Snoqualmie: State auditor concerned about hospital’s debt - When the state auditor’s office first examined the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District’s 2010 books, it was given a clean bill of health in November. But when the Legislature required a second opinion, the prognosis didn’t look as rosy. The district sold the current hospital building and land to the Snoqualmie Tribe in July 2008 for $30 million, and the tribe is allowing the hospital to continue to operate in the building. The tribe is currently paying $100,000 a month and will pay the remaining balance in a balloon payment May 1, 2015, expected to come in at about $29 million, according to the audit.

Snoqualmie: One Hundred Sands, Ltd Accepts Exclusive Gaming License from Fiji Government - One Hundred Sands, a Fiji based firm plans to build a $290 million Luxury Casino Resort and Convention Center on Denarau Island. One Hundred Sands plans to employ 600 to 800 local residents. One Hundred Sands is partnering with the Snoqualmie Tribe from the State of Washington and Seventh Generation LLC, a Native American company, in order to enhance its casino gaming experience, the development of social and economic initiates to benefit local Fijians, and to further develop cultural and tribal ties between Native Americans and Fijians.

Snoqualmie: Tribe considering $260 million Fiji casino partnership - For $1 million and some sharing of its expertise, the Snoqualmie Tribe could take part-ownership of a $290 million luxury resort and casino operation in Fiji. In July, according to Tribal Administrator Matt Mattson, the tribal council had just finalized eight priorities for the coming year, and economic development through diversification was high on the list. Within a few months, Donald Sampson, executive director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, met with the Snoqualmie council to suggest the partnership with One Hundred Sands as an investment opportunity.

Snoqualmie-Jamestown S'Klallam: Tribe's Fiji resort deal controversial to some, a surprise to others - "It's hurting our tribe; it's pretty sad," said Kanium Ventura, elected to the tribal council in September 2007. "They are supposed to take this to the membership," Ventura said. "There is no benefits for us at Fiji; I don't think it will make much." Some Washington state tribal leaders were surprised by the news. "In Fiji! Wow. That's interesting," said W. Ron Allen, chairman of the executive committee of the Washington Indian Gaming Association and chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe.

Snoqualmie: American wins right to open Fiji casinos - An American multimillionaire has won the right to build a large casino on Fiji's Denarau Island, one of the country's main tourist destinations for New Zealanders. The license will be held by Claunch's One Hundred Sands Ltd, which will run the casino with the Snoqualmie Tribe from Washington state and Seventh Generation LLC, a Native American company.

Snoqualmie: Fijian Government Issues First-ever Exclusive Gaming License - Consistent with the Bainimarama Government's efforts to bring dynamic investment to its quickly modernising nation, this exclusive gaming license will further invigorate the Fijian economy; produce upwards of 800 jobs for local residents; add another segment to successful tourism industry; and increase Fiji's capacity to welcome guests to visit the country.

Snoqualmie: Public outcry puts elk hunt on hold at Snoqualmie Ridge golf course - "Sustainable and low-impact development should include ways to co-exist with wildlife," Tribal Administrator Matt Mattson stated. "The controlled hunt on the TPC golf course is counter to this philosophy, and counter to the wishes of the Snoqualmie Tribe."

Snoqualmie: Carnation to start up first traffic signal Thursday - Funding for the city of Carnation's first traffic signal was provided by the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) through the Snoqualmie Tribe and project management provided through King County. Tribal members are invited to the traffic signal activation celebration.

Snoqualmie: Snoqualmie Casino’s credit rating gets a boost from Standard & Poor’s - Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its credit rating of the Snoqualmie Entertainment Authority, which manages Snoqualmie Casino, from B- to B.

Snoqualmie: Carnation flips on traffic signal with ceremonial switch - Funding for the project was provided by the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) through the Snoqualmie Tribe and project management provided through King County.

Snoqualmie: Tribe's Canoe Family holds craft fair, salmon lunch at Christmas in Carnation

Snoqualmie: Lakewood’s Court History Started with a Hanging

Snoqualmie: Helping Hand Food Bank struggles to stay afloat

Snoqualmie: Lessons in Patient-Driven Care from American Indian Communities

Snoqualmie: Feds OK company to study hydroelectric project

Snoqualmie: Casino’s credit rating gets a boost from Standard & Poor’s