What Cowlitz Indian Tribe does

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is a federally recognized sovereign tribal government headquartered in Longview, Washington, serving approximately 5,000 enrolled tribal members dispersed across 32 states. The tribe operates a comprehensive portfolio of government, social, and health-related services including a medical clinic and behavioral health services (Longview, Vancouver, DuPont, Tukwila), a Child Care Development Program, an Elders Program (congregate meals, homebound delivery, medical transportation), a Youth Program (ages 7-17, including language and cultural education), Pathways to Healing (domestic violence services), Cowlitz Employment Support Services, a Community Wellness Garden (over 20,000 sq ft), tribal transit, and housing assistance. A Tuition Assistance Award Program supports 285-300 students annually (up from 34 students in 2010), with annual awards up to $21,000 for graduate studies and $7,000 for associate degrees, delivered via the GWE Portal under the federal General Welfare Exclusion Act.

The tribe's digital service delivery infrastructure relies on third-party enterprise platforms including OCHIN's MyChart patient portal for electronic health records, a RiteTrack-based GWE Portal for benefits management, a Microsoft PowerApps Portals-based Member Portal, and a Member Services hotline (1-877-COWLITZ) reaching members nationwide. Tribal enterprises include ilani Casino Resort (opened 2017, the primary revenue driver), Cowlitz Crossing (fuel and convenience), Cowlitz Tobacco Outlet, ilani Hotel, and Qanapsu cannabis shop.

Revenue is generated through transaction-based commercial enterprises (gaming, fuel, tobacco, cannabis, hospitality), land claim settlement proceeds, and federal grants. Tribal enterprise revenue funds free or low-cost member services; the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation has donated approximately $28 million to community causes since 2017. The tribe pursues an active expansion strategy through Landback partnerships (Capitol Land Trust, 2023), environmental restoration (Kwoneesum Dam removal with Columbia Land Trust, 2024), mobile behavioral health units (2024), and a coalition-led $15 million federal EV charging infrastructure grant (2025) across six tribal sites in Washington and Oregon.

Name

Cowlitz Indian Tribe

Legal name

Cowlitz Indian Tribe

Website

https://cowlitz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is a federally recognized sovereign tribal government headquartered in Longview, WA, serving approximately 5,000 enrolled members across 32 states through health, education, housing, and cultural programs funded by tribal enterprises including ilani Casino Resort.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tribal Government Services

NAICS

American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (92115), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Tribal/First Nations Casino Operations (MPAEAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tribal/Indigenous Casino Hotels (THAGAJAE), Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities (HLAJAAAD)

Keywords

• Tribal government services
• Gaming and hospitality
• Health and human services
• Tribal enterprises
• Education assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Longview

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. ilani Casino Gaming Revenue: The ilani Casino Resort, opened in 2017, serves as a primary revenue driver enabling tribal programs including tuition assistance, health services, housing, and community giving. Gaming revenue funds essential tribal government services and member benefits.
2. Tribal Enterprises: The tribe operates multiple business enterprises including ilani Casino Resort, Cowlitz Crossing fuel and convenience, tobacco outlets, ilani Hotel, and cannabis shop (Qanapsu). These enterprises generate revenue while serving tribal members and the public.
3. Land Claim Settlements: Revenue from land claim settlements, which have enabled expanded tribal programs and services including the tuition assistance program growth since 2017.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is a federally recognized sovereign tribal government that delivers comprehensive government, social, health, educational, and cultural services to approximately 5,000 enrolled tribal members across 32 states. Core service offerings include healthcare (medical clinic, behavioral health, wellness), child care, elder care, youth programs, employment support, housing assistance, tuition assistance, transit, and domestic violence services. The tribe also operates commercial enterprises—led by ilani Casino Resort (opened 2017)—including fuel/convenience, tobacco retail, hotel, and cannabis retail, whose revenue funds tribal programs.

Product overview

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe operates a diverse portfolio of tribal government services and commercial enterprises. Core services include Health Services (medical clinic, behavioral health, wellness programs), Tribal Member Services (nationwide prescription coverage, gym reimbursements, Amazon Prime benefits), Child Care Development Program, Elders Program, Employment Support Services, Youth Program, Pathways to Healing (domestic violence services), Community Wellness Garden, Tuition Assistance Award Program, Transit, and Housing Services. Commercial enterprises include ilani Casino Resort (opened 2017, primary revenue source), Cowlitz Crossing fuel/convenience, ilani Hotel, Tobacco Outlet, and Qanapsu Cannabis Shop. The tribe also maintains governmental functions including Tribal Council, Tribal Court, Public Safety, Natural Resources, and Cultural Resources departments. Revenue from gaming operations funds tribal programs, particularly the tuition assistance program supporting 285-300 students annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ilani: Casino resort and hotel brand operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe
• Qanapsu
• Yooyoolah
• Cowlitz Crossing

Products and services

• Health Services Comprehensive health and human services including a medical clinic in Longview, behavioral health services across multiple locations (Vancouver, Longview, DuPont, Tukwila), a wellness and diabetes program, community wellness garden, and purchased referred care, delivered to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
• Cowlitz Tribal Member Services (CTMS) Nationwide services for tribal members including prescription drug coverage (via Prescryptive), gym membership reimbursements, Amazon Prime Business accounts, healthcare coverage assistance, veterans services, culture kits, notary services, and legal aid referrals.
• Child Care and Development Program (CCDP) Federally funded childcare assistance for enrolled Native American and Alaska Native families providing childcare certification, health and safety inspections, early learning education, and parent education and support in Southwestern Washington and Northern Oregon.
• Elders Program Nutrition and support services for tribal elders (60+) including congregate meals, frozen salmon delivery, homebound meal delivery, respite care, medical transportation, prescription services, and culturally relevant activities.
• Cowlitz Employment Support Services (CESS) Holistic employment services for American Indians and Alaska Natives including career guidance, job readiness training, work clothing assistance, transportation support, certification programs, and wrap-around services with offices in Longview, Vancouver, DuPont, and Tukwila.
• Youth Program Youth enrichment program for enrolled Cowlitz tribal members ages 7-17 including culture teachings, Cowlitz language, harvest trips, youth council (CITYC), leadership conferences, summer camp, and Healing of the Canoe prevention project.
• Pathways to Healing Services for individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, or elder abuse, providing general advocacy, therapy, crisis intervention, safety planning, legal advocacy, and culturally relevant healing services.
• Community Wellness Garden Over 20,000 square feet of production gardens, hoop house, raised beds, and medicine wheel garden providing fresh produce to tribal elders and over 100 households, with food distribution across multiple Washington locations.
• Tuition Assistance Award Program Educational support program offering tuition assistance for enrolled tribal members pursuing vocational certificates and college degrees, with GWE benefits up to $2,500 per academic year and tuition awards for associate through doctorate degrees.
• ilani Casino Resort Major tribal casino resort operating since 2017, serving as the primary funding source for tribal programs including the tuition assistance program. Includes hotel, multiple dining options, and gaming facilities open to the public.
• Cowlitz Crossing Fuel and convenience store operated by the tribe as a tribal enterprise.
• ilani Hotel Hotel accommodations at the ilani Casino Resort complex open to the public.
• Cowlitz Tobacco Outlet Tobacco products retail outlet operated by the tribe.
• Qanapsu Cannabis Shop Cannabis retail shop operated by the tribe.
• Transit Services Public transportation services for tribal members including fixed-route and demand-response services with an office in Longview.
• Housing Services Housing assistance programs including down payment assistance, rental assistance, home rehabilitation funding, scattered sites housing, and student rental assistance for tribal members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 285-300 students supported annually through tuition assistance program, grown from 34 students in 2010
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Columbia River Mental Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025Letter of intent announced to protect behavioral health services in the region, ensuring continued access to mental health support for tribal members and the broader community.
• ODART (Oregon Disaster Assistance Response Team)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2025Partnership for full-scale emergency exercise simulating catastrophic earthquake response, enhancing tribal emergency preparedness capabilities.
• Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis ReservationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2025Joint application partner for $15 million U.S. Department of Transportation EV charging infrastructure grant. Grant will install EV charging at the Chehalis Tribe's business enterprises including Great Wolf Lodge and End of Trails Fueling Centers.
• Klamath TribesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2025Joint application partner for $15 million U.S. Department of Transportation EV charging infrastructure grant. Will provide EV charging at Klamath Tribes' businesses and administration facilities.
• Lummi NationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2025Joint application partner for $15 million U.S. Department of Transportation EV charging infrastructure grant for tribal EV charging network.
• Puyallup Tribe of IndiansflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2025Joint application partner for $15 million U.S. Department of Transportation EV charging infrastructure grant. Puyallup Tribal Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and views this as progress toward a greener future.
• Stillaguamish Tribe of IndiansflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2025Joint application partner for $15 million U.S. Department of Transportation EV charging infrastructure grant for tribal EV charging network across Washington and Oregon.
• Columbia Land TrustflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2024Partnership to complete removal of Kwoneesum Dam in the Washougal River watershed. After four months of de-construction, the dam's removal restores natural fish passage and habitat, immediately benefiting salmon and steelhead populations.
• PrescryptivecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Partnership to provide all Cowlitz Tribal Members nationwide with free prescription drug coverage. The tribe leverages Prescryptive's pharmacy benefit management to deliver prescription coverage at no cost to tribal members.
• Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership through Washington Connection application services, expanding support for tribal community by providing personalized assistance with applying for essential benefits including food, cash, child care, long-term care, Medicare savings, and medical assistance.
• Northwest Justice ProjectminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Legal aid referral partnership providing Cowlitz Tribal Members in Washington State with access to legal services including housing, family law, advance directives, power of attorney, Indian wills, public benefits, and consumer issues.
• Port of Cascade Locks (Bridge of the Gods)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Toll-free bridge crossing agreement allowing Cowlitz tribal members to cross the Bridge of the Gods without paying toll fees by showing valid tribal ID.
• Port of Hood RiverminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Electronic tolling waiver program allowing registered Cowlitz tribal members to cross the Port of Hood River bridge without paying toll fees through BreezeBy electronic system.
• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership through kəkáyʔ 'Grandma's Kitchen' food pantry program providing locally grown and produced food items to those in need.
• Capitol Land TrustflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2023Landback partnership with Capitol Land Trust, a conservation non-profit based in Olympia, WA. The trust board unanimously voted to return ancestral lands in Lewis County to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, representing a significant step in restoring the tribe's connection to traditional territories along the Cowlitz River corridor.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Puyallup Tribe of Indians: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe operating Emerald Queen Casino and a diversified portfolio of tribal enterprises and government services. Directly comparable as a regional tribal government with substantial gaming operations, healthcare, education, and member service programs. Joint applicant with Cowlitz on the $15M EV charging grant.
• Tulalip Tribes: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe operating Tulalip Resort Casino and a comprehensive tribal government service portfolio including health, education, housing, and natural resources. Comparable in scale and structure to Cowlitz as a diversified gaming-funded tribal government.
• Lummi Nation: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe with gaming operations (Silver Reef Casino) and a full suite of tribal government services. Joint applicant with Cowlitz on the $15M EV charging infrastructure grant.
• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe operating Muckleshoot Casino Resort and a diversified enterprise and government service portfolio. Comparable as a gaming-funded tribal government with health, education, and member services.
• Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe operating the Great Wolf Lodge casino-resort and End of Trails Fueling Centers. Joint applicant with Cowlitz on the $15M EV charging infrastructure grant; comparable enterprise portfolio including gaming, fuel, and tribal services.
• Snoqualmie Indian Tribe: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe operating Snoqualmie Casino and tribal government services. Comparable as a Washington-based gaming-funded tribal government with member services and cultural programs.
• Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe with tribal enterprises and government services. Joint applicant with Cowlitz on the $15M EV charging infrastructure grant; comparable as a regional tribal government participant in multi-tribe federal initiatives.
• Klamath Tribes: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe operating tribal enterprises and government services. Joint applicant with Cowlitz on the $15M EV charging infrastructure grant; comparable as a regional tribal government pursuing diversified revenue.
• Suquamish Tribe: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe operating Clearwater Casino Resort and a tribal government services portfolio. Comparable as a gaming-funded tribal government with health, education, and member benefit programs in the region.
• Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe: Pacific Northwest federally recognized tribe operating 7 Cedars Casino Resort and a diversified portfolio of tribal enterprises and government services. Comparable in structure and scale to Cowlitz as a small, gaming-funded tribal government.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cowlitzindiantribe
• Xx.com/CowlitzTribe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cowlitz-indian-tribe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cowlitz Indian Tribe