Some Puyallups question payments to members

TACOMA – The Puyallup Tribe of Indians takes the direct approach with profits from its Emerald Queen Casino. Every one of the tribe’s 3,450 members gets a monthly check for $2,000.

Since the program began in 2002, the Puyallups have paid out $280 million.

But as the tribal population increases, the payments have become a topic of heated debate.

Puyallup leaders say there’s no problem, citing the casino’s healthy profits.

But a group of concerned members says the payments have put the Puyallups on an economic treadmill they can’t keep up with and can’t get off.

Members of the group, who declined to be identified by name, told The News Tribune newspaper that the tribe recently restructured more than $130 million in loans so that only interest payments will be made over the next five years. The tribe then will face a balloon payment.

“The tribe is essentially operating on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis,” said a member of the group, which calls itself Full Circle of the Puyallup Nation. “There is no consideration given to long-term debt. They have no idea how they’re going to come up with the money to pay that balloon in five years.”

David Peterson, hired by the tribe as its head accountant, would not discuss the details, but said restructuring is a normal part of business. The payments to tribal members are part of a large and complex business plan – well-thought-out and entirely above board, he said.

“Some people start scurrilous rumors and blow up situations beyond recognition,” said John Bell, the tribe’s top attorney. “Five banks, I think, now are involved. … They are not going to get involved in something if they think there’s a chance they won’t get their money back.”

Numbers provided by Full Circle indicate that, without a new source of income, the payments cannot continue at their present rate if membership continues to go up. Without restructuring the loan, projections indicate, the gap between revenues and expenditures would have grown steadily toward a $39 million deficit in 2010.

Membership in the tribe has increased by 1,000 people since the payments began. Last year, the payments took $83.5 million of the casino’s net revenue of $126 million. The rest goes to finance most of the rest of the tribe’s activities.

This year, tribal membership is expected to increase by another 229 people.

The birthrate accounts for part of the membership increase. Another source of new members – people with Puyallup ancestry who transferred from other tribes – was cut off a year ago by an amendment to the tribal constitution.

Many people now depend on the monthly checks, critics say.

“It would be political suicide to touch the (payments) and they know it,” a Full Circle member said.

Three council seats are up for reelection this year – the primary is in March and the election in June, At least three members of Full Circle are expected to run for seats, which has some dismissing their concerns as campaign rhetoric.

Finding the truth is complicated by the secretive and highly personal nature of tribal politics. Tribal members who complain angrily about the problems in private don’t want their names publicly revealed, saying they fear retribution from the council. The council has the power to hand out tribal jobs and grant special grants of cash to families.

Making matters more difficult, members of the tribal council have declined to meet with Full Circle or to speak directly with the media. The News Tribune’s inquiries led to a meeting not with tribal council members but with a tribal spokesman, a tribal accountant and a tribal attorney – none of them tribal members.

The Puyallups’ hefty monthly payouts set them apart from other casino-rich tribes, who make minimal payouts directly to members and instead invest profits in social programs and efforts to diversify their economies.

“The Puyallup Tribe believes that its members know best what their needs are,” Peterson said. “It wishes to apply economic benefit to its members more directly.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Joshua Kornfeld/Kitsap News Group
SNAP benefits are accepted at the Bainbridge Island Safeway.
WA sues contractor to prevent sharing of food stamp data with feds

States fear the Trump administration could use the information to target immigrants. The company said after the lawsuit was filed it had no plans to hand over the data.

Traffic slows as it moves around the bend of northbound I-5 through north Everett on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Paving project will close I-5 lanes in Everett

Crews will close up to 4 lanes overnight for weeks to complete the $8.1 million repairs.

Top, from left: Bill Wheeler, Erica Weir and Mason Rutledge. Bottom, from left: Sam Hem, Steven Sullivan.
Candidates seek open District 1 seat in crowded race

Five people are aiming to take the open seat left after current council member Mary Fosse announced she would not run for reelection.

From left to right, Lynnwood City Council Position 3 candidates Josh Binda, Tyler Hall and Bryce Owings.
Position 3 candidates focus on affordability amid city’s growth

City Council Vice President Josh Binda is seeking a second term against challengers Tyler Hall and Bryce Owings.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

District 1 candidates talk financial priorities, student needs

Three newcomers — Carson Sanderson, Arun Sharma and Brian Travis — are eyeing the vacant seat on the district’s board of directors.

Tony Quincy, Marylin Quincy's son, holds up a portrait honoring her during a second line parade at the 33rd annual Nubian Jam on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Forest Park in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Locals honor Black leader at Everett’s Nubian Jam

The celebration honored the late Marylin Quincy, who founded the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee. She died in June at 81.

Downtown Edmonds is a dining destination, boasting fresh seafood, Caribbean-inspired sandwiches, artisan bread and more. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)
Edmonds commission studying parking fees and business tax proposals

Both ideas are under consideration as possible revenue solutions to address a $13M budget shortfall.

Travis Bouwman with Snohomish County PUD trims branches away from power lines along Norman Road on Thursday, July 24, 2025 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County PUD activates fire safety protocols

As wildfire risks increase in Western Washington, the PUD continues to implement mitigation and preparation efforts.

Top, from left: Amber Cantu, Gary Kemp, Dan Perkins. Bottom, from left: R.J. Whitlow, David Garrett.
Crowded race to fill open Position 3 seat

After incumbent Tom King decided not to run for reelection, five people stepped up to run in the August primary.

File photo 
People wait in line to see a U.S. Army Chinook helicopter being exhibited in 2022 at Arlington SkyFest.
Arlington SkyFest rental waiver denied for the first time in 10 years

Arlington Airport Commission says the event is moving away from aviation.

Second fire vehicle stolen in a week — this time in Edmonds

Police searching for a suspect who stole and abandoned a South County Fire Ford F-150 on Friday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.