Ernest Stensgar
Ernest Louis Stensgar is the Chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, a position he has held since May of 1986. Mr. Stensgar served on the Council from 1975-78 and from 1984 to the present.
He currently serves as President of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, representing some 55 tribal governments in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Western Montana, and Alaska. He also serves on the Board of Directors as Portland Area Vice President for the National Congress of American Indians. Mr. Stensgar was honored in 1998 by being the first Tribal Leader named to the list of Idaho's 100 most influential people. He was also named to the list in 1999. The Northwest coalition against Malicious Harassment honored him with its 1999 Bayard Rustin Award, recognizing Mr. Stensgar's stand against white supremacist movements in North Idaho. Each year since 1998, Ernest Stensgar has been named as one of Idaho's Most Influential Leaders. In 1999, Stensgar was the first tribal leader ever named to this list. His leadership has brought tribal and state governments closer together, enhancing government-to-government relations with the Idaho Legislature, Governor's Office and State and Local elected officials. The Idaho Legislature has also established a Joint Indian Affairs Committee and the Governor's Office has regular meetings with Tribal Leaders in Idaho. He has led the Tribe through its most successful era of economic development. The unemployment rate has dropped from 70 percent in 1993 to about 10 percent today. When Ernie was a youth returning from Vietnam, the tribe had three employees. Today, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe employs over 1,000 people, Indian and non-Indian and is the second largest employer in North Idaho. As Chairman, he has played the key role in development of the Tribe's nationally renowned Benewah Medical Center, including the 43,000 square foot Wellness Center that opened in July of 1998. The Tribe's gaming operations, begun in 1993, have proved to be a powerful economic engine for the reservation and for North Idaho. Tribal gaming's impact on the regional economy exceeds $30 million annually, helping support some 2,500 jobs in North Idaho and Eastern Washington. In 2000, Mr. Stensgar was presented the Silver Medallion Award by the University of Idaho in recognition of his distinguished service in promoting the cultural, scientific, economic and social advancement of Idaho and its people. He has provided outstanding service to the state, the nation and has influenced the well being of mankind. Ernest Stensgar is a decorated combat veteran, serving with the United States Marine Corps in Viet Nam. He was wounded in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart. Born and raised on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation, Mr. Stensgar was graduated from Chilloco Indian School in Oklahoma in 1965. After his service in the military, he continued his education for two years at Eastern Washington University in Cheney. He has worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Forestry Operation on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation and is a former Tribal Logging Operation Manager. Ernie Stensgar has also served on the tribal school board, as Chairman of the Alliance of Idaho Tribes, as Co-chairman of the Idaho Centennial and numerous positions with tribal affiliated organizations. He is the Post Commander for the Joseph R. Gary Post #5 American Legion. |
_
|