The Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s development on its reservation shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, as officials broke ground on a 10,000-square-foot expansion of ilani’s meeting and entertainment center last week.
The most recent groundbreaking at ilani on Feb. 14 featured a fresh layer of snow surrounding the dirt that was set to be turned. The latest addition will add onto the existing 30,000 square feet of the center, which opened in 2018, offering more flexible space for events.
The expansion will feature flexible meeting space that can serve as separate breakout rooms, more “pre-function” space or a separate “junior” ballroom, ilani President and General Manager Kara Fox-LaRose said at the groundbreaking. The expansion will also include an outdoor terrace as well as additional restrooms and office space.
Cowlitz Spiritual Leader Tanna Engdahl said the expansion reflects the changing nature of the tribe.
“We were not a static people. Our villages were always in adjustment,” Engdahl said.
She said it’s in the tribe’s nature to provide the kind of opportunities the continued improvements on the reservation allow.
“As potlatch people, we want the very best for our guests,” Engdahl said. “We want them to come, feel comfortable, be entertained, be happy.”
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe has partnered with Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment throughout the development of ilani. Mohegan Chief Marketing Officer Dave Martinelli said ilani is the “physical embodiment of the strong partnership between the two great tribes: Cowlitz and Mohegan.”
As one project begins its construction, another one at ilani nears completion. Fox-LaRose said the 14-story luxury hotel on the reservation will be complete in late April or early May, around the time of ilani’s sixth anniversary of operation.
Fox-LaRose said the hotel has more than 600 reservations already. Cowlitz Indian Tribe Chairwoman Patty Kinswa-Gaiser said she’s even gotten calls about reservations for rooms.
The day of the groundbreaking marked the 23rd anniversary of the tribe receiving its federal recognition. Kinswa-Gaiser recognized the late John Barnett, the former chairman of the tribe, who she said worked for decades to get the Cowlitz Indian Tribe federal recognition.
“(Barnett) worked for 27 years for our recognition, using his own money to go to D.C. 45 times to argue with the feds, and he was a very good speaker,” Kinswa-Gaiser said
She added there are countless other tribal members who put in their own efforts to gain federal recognition.
She reflected on the growth of the Cowlitz Indian Reservation, the 152-acre property, which was first established for the tribe in 2010.
“It wasn’t that many years ago this was a field with a farmhouse on it,” Kinswa-Gaiser said. “We broke ground for this casino in the pouring down rain, in the mud, and there’s still people here, working here, that were part of that day.”
She said the tribe has come a long way from having only one office employee and barely enough money to provide $125 scholarships to two tribal members.
“Now we have 236 (tribal members) in college and trade schools,” Kinswa-Gaiser said.
