The Idaho Council on Indian Affairs meets Aug. 19, 2024, at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)
The five Native American tribes in Idaho have a combined economic impact of $1.45 billion, according to a study by a University of Idaho economist.
The tribes contribute heavily to the economy, agriculture, tourism, recreation and hospitality industries and support more than 12,500 jobs across the state, said Steven Peterson, a University of Idaho research economist who served as the study’s principal investigator.
“Their footprint is large enough that if you waved a wand and their activities disappeared, the state of Idaho would likely be thrown into a recession,” Peterson said. “Their economic impact is that big and substantial.”
The five Native American tribes in Idaho include:
- Coeur d’Alene Tribe, 2,599 members.
- Nez Perce Tribe, 3,526 members.
- Kootenai Tribe, 168 members.
- Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall, 6,075 members.
- Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, 2,203 members.