The Washington State Department of Commerce is initiating this Request for Applications to solicit proposals from those qualified and interested in grant funding for the Financial Coaching and Mentorship project to invest in communities disproportionately harmed by the historical design and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws and penalties for drug possession, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and Latino individuals and families. The Financial Coaching and Mentorship…
Tribal partners reviewed proposed updates to the agency tribal relations policy and can now access all tribal-relations-focused team members through new shared inbox. On June 23, Commerce’s Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) held our second annual Commerce Tribal Advisory Committee (COMTAC) gathering, graciously hosted at the Northern Quest Resort in Airway Heights. As our agency grows in the area of tribal relations, we have been shaping COMTAC to serve as…
In the afternoon, we focused on the work we have been doing internally around updating our tribal relations policy and responding to calls to pull back authority to consult under Executive Order 21-02 Archaeological and Cultural Resources (PDF). The announcement of our commitment to recalling the authority to consult was met with much surprise and support! Our Tribal Resource Group has spun off a small taskforce to begin mapping the…
The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) has approximately $13.5 million available for broadband construction loans to acquire, install, or construct last and middle mile infrastructure in unserved areas of the state. Eligible applicants Local governments Tribes Nonprofit organizations Cooperative associations Multiparty entities Limited liability corporations (LLCs), incorporated businesses and partnerships Important dates Pre-applications are due by 11:59 p.m. PT, July 18, 2023. A 30-day objection period will follow, and…
The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) was created June 2023 and consists of Michelle Gladstone-Wade (Suquamish), Tribal Liaison and Alden (AL) Andy (Yakama), Deputy Tribal Liaison. To demonstrate our agency’s dedication to tribal relations, Director Fong has separated the Tribal Liaison from the Government Affairs and Policy team and created the Office of Tribal Relations. The first addition to the Office of Tribal Relation is a Deputy Tribal Liaison who…
Leading hospitality industry veteran will give voice to Tribal communities and interests OLYMPIA, WA — Sam Askew, Executive Director of Resort Operations at Northern Quest Resort & Casino, has been appointed to the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority Advisory Committee by Commerce Director Lisa Brown. Askew fills a vacant position on the four-person committee reserved for representing the interests and perspectives of Washington’s Tribal communities. “Sam’s energy and extensive background in…
The Department of Commerce’s new Tribal Liaison, Michelle Gladstone-Wade attends Governor Inslee’s landmark bill signing at the Tulalip Resort (3/31/2022) Chairwoman Rosemary LaClair, Nooksack Tribe, Michelle Gladstone-Wade Tribal Liaison COMM Council Member Lisa Wilson, Lummi Nation Michelle Gladstone-Wade Tribal Liaison COMM, Althea Wilson, Lummi Nation Governor Inslee signed the following bills into law: HB 1015 – Creating the Washington equitable access to credit act. HB 1571 – Concerning protections and…
Michelle Gladstone-Wade joined Commerce in February 2022 and is honored to serve as the Tribal Liaison and lead Commerce’s efforts to develop and maintain positive government to government relationships with our Tribal partners. She comes to Commerce via the Washington State Department of Revenue and before coming to state service, Michelle spent 10 years working in the Tribal College setting in student services, foundation management, and as faculty. Her experience…
Important funding updates from the Washington State Broadband Office Matching Grant application changes There is approximately $ 25 million set-aside for Matching Grant applications. This is an “open cycle” on a first come, first serve basis, until funds are exhausted. There is a maximum $5 million dollar million or 25 percent of the federal grant amount sought, whichever is less. Eligible projects: eligible entities applying for federal broadband infrastructure funding.…