Tribes Donates Bingo Profits To Schools

The Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe on Tuesday gave $25,000 in profits from its bingo hall to the Plummer-Worley School District.

The tribe promised two years ago to donate a portion of its gambling profits to education. The tribe has donated to the district before, but this is by far the largest amount.

“Profits from our gaming enterprises must and will be invested to benefit the future of this reservation for everyone,” said Tribal Chairman Ernie Stensgar. “When we think of our future here, we think of our children.”

The tribe has said it expects to earn about $1 million a year in profits from its bingo hall and casino that opened in March 1993.

District Superintendent Bob Singleton said the money will likely go toward a program to teach the Coeur d’Alene Indian language in school and new technology. For instance, the district will tie into the Internet, he said.

“In outlying areas like ours, access to these systems can bring us some of what the bigger schools can offer,” he said. “We can access libraries, research materials … it’s just an extra advantage.”

The school district’s annual budget is about $3 million.