Memorial - S. Tim Wapato

In Memoriam - S. Timothy Wapato (Confederated Colville) Phoenix, Arizona (April 22, 2009) - The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (the National Center) Board of Directors, dedicated staff and clientele have been deeply saddened by the recent passing of Mr. Tim Wapato, friend, colleague, and beloved member of the American Indian community. Mr. Wapato passed away at his home in Rapid City, S.D., this past weekend after returning home from recent business travel to Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Wapato, a member of the Colville Tribe of Washington, served as Vice Chair and a member of the National Center's Board of Directors for 10 years.

"We were honored to have Mr. Wapato serve as a valued and knowledgeable member of the National Center's Board of Directors for a decade," stated Margo Gray - Proctor, Board Chair of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. "Mr. Wapato committed his life's work to improving the most difficult areas affecting American Indian communities - Justice, Equal Rights and Economic Development. In spite of the difficulties he faced, he was able to achieve results that will forever impact tribal economies in the most profound way."

Since the 1960s when starting out during the early days of organizing American Indian economic development activities in Los Angeles, California, to his attendance at last week's National Indian Gaming Association Conference held in Phoenix, Arizona--Mr. Wapato's life-long commitment to helping American Indian people achieve economic parity was demonstrated through his tireless efforts advocating for improved federal policies affecting American Indian urban and Reservation-based communities, educating every new Congress on rights guaranteed American Indian people through the U.S. Constitution, testifying on Capitol Hill to keep the window for Indian Gaming open long enough for tribes to become self-sufficient and beyond, establishing national associations designed and led by American Indian people, and creating hundreds of jobs nationally along the way.

"Because of Mr. Wapato's work, as his brother in spirit, I am proud to be able to report, that despite the difficult conditions he faced, progress has been made on behalf of us all," stated David Lester, Founding Board Member for the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, Executive Director, Council of Energy Resource Tribes.

"On behalf of the National Center Board of Directors, we wish Mr. Wapato's family peace in their treasured memories and comfort in knowing the honor that he brought to everything he touched. We send our prayers and blessings to the Colville Tribal Nation and Mr. Wapato's far-reaching family as they mourn the loss of this great warrior, leader, and friend."

"The honor in working with Mr. Wapato has been ours, the benefit in knowing Mr. Wapato has been ours, and the loss in his passing shall too be ours," said John Echohawk, Board Member, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, Executive Director, Native American Rights Fund.