The Nisqually Tribe’s Remarkable Journey to Economic Sovereignty
TRIBAL ENTERPRISES
In the decades since the early 1990s, the Nisqually Indian Tribe has transformed itself into a robust economic presence, Cheebo Frazier, Chief Operations generating hundreds of regional jobs and contributing Officer, Medicine millions to local organizations through their charitable Creek Enterprise giving. By any standard, it’s an outstanding achievement. Corporation by Heidi Smith • Images courtesy of KMB Architects When you consider that Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation (MCEC), the parent company of multiple Tribal businesses, includes board members whose families remember growing up on the Reservation without electricity or running water, such rapid growth is even more impressive. Today MCEC is one of the largest private employers in Thurston County. More importantly, the expansion has created opportunities for Tribal members to thrive, according to Chief Operations Officer Cheebo Frazier. “We’re able to provide medical services, to begin building housing, thurstonchamber.com
and to offer educational services to the membership,” says Frazier. “These positive changes are remarkable in that we’re building leaders of the future while making certain we have a solid economy and workforce on the Reservation. We’re meeting the goals the Tribe laid out in their community vision.”
Services and Nisqually Communication Services. The construction arm does projects at Joint-Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) in Pierce County and the Port of Seattle in King County, while the communications branch works to meet the growing regional demand for T-3 fiber optics.
MCEC oversees a large and growing number of operations, including the Medicine Creek Cafe, Nisqually Markets, Nisqually Post & Print and the Red Wind Casino. They also have expanded beyond Thurston County through Nisqually Construction
Within the Reservation, the recently completed Nisqually Health Center expands access to healthcare ranging from wellness checks and dental care to behavioral health and substance abuse prevention, and also provides traditional and cultural healing used by the Nisqually
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
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