Airway Heights, WA (November 1, 2022) – This November, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Northern Quest Resort & Casino expand their celebration of Native American Heritage Month with a nod to tribal history, special month-long tribal-inspired dining specials and spa services, as well as performances by tribal dancers, drummers, entertainers, and a comedian.
Visit Northern Quest to explore traditional Kalispel Tribal culture and learn more about the history of the Tribe. In the late 1800s, the Kalispels were in desperate need of protection and security. In 1887, the Kalispel Tribe was pressured by the United States government to move away from their homeland to another reservation in Montana. Chief Masselow remained steadfast in his refusal to leave the area, even though the Tribal population had dwindled from 1,600 Tribal members to approximately 100 in 1911. In 1914, the Tribe was granted its own reservation by executive order on their ancestral homeland in Usk, Wash., located 55 miles north of Spokane. In the last 135 years, the Kalispel Tribe has faced many challenges associated with life in remote rural areas – including unemployment, inadequate housing, substance abuse, limited economic opportunities, and prejudice. With most of the land on the small reservation unsuitable for development, the Tribe was forced to develop innovative ways to create opportunity for Tribal members.
One of those ideas was to purchase additional land away from the small reservation and build a casino where Tribal members could count on gainful employment. In 1996, the Tribe secured approximately 300 acres of land in Airway Heights, including 40 acres of Reservation Trust Land designated for gaming. Since the opening of Northern Quest Resort & Casino in 2000, Tribal health and social service programs have increased the quality and life expectancy for Tribal members and those who live in surrounding communities. Today the Kalispel Tribe has 485 members. Approximately 35 percent of those members are under the age of 18. The smallest percentage of members are Tribal elders. The Tribe now maintains several successful businesses, provides nearly 2,000 jobs, and has donated more than $22 million to regional and non-profit organizations in Spokane and Pend Oreille Counties.
Come learn more about Kalispel Tribal traditions and culture at Northern Quest throughout the month of November!
Native Dance Exhibitions
Enjoy traditional Native American dance and drumming performances by members of various plateau tribes on the southeastern end of the property near Windfall:
- Saturday – November 5 – 2 to 4 p.m. (free event)
- Saturday – November 19 – 2 to 4 p.m. (free event)
Northern Quest Dance Championships
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the Kalispel Tribe welcomes 16 of the top Native American Fancy dancers from across the United States and Canada to perform traditional Fancy Shawl and Fancy Double Bustle dances. This competition celebrates centuries-old traditions representing several different tribes.
- Saturday, November 12 – noon (free event)
Comedy Show
Nationally recognized Native American comedian Tonia Jo Hall will bring her masterful stand-up comedy act to our stage for a free evening of comedy!
- Friday, November 11 – 7:30 p.m. (free event)
Music at Highball
Award-winning musician, Tony Louie, a Colville Tribal Member, entertains on stage at Highball: A Modern Speakeasy. Native American DJ Exoduswill play all the favorites for some late-night fun and dancing.
- Tony Louie – Thursday, November 10 – 7 to 9:30 p.m. (no cover charge)
- DJ Exodus – Friday, November 11 – 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (no cover charge)
- DJ Exodus – Saturday, November 12 – 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (no cover charge)
Heritage Dinner at Masselow’s Steakhouse
Join us for a unique dining experience featuring local indigenous flavors with celebrity chef Sean Sherman, founder of The Sioux Chef. The evening will feature an amuse-bouche and four elegant courses crafted from ingredients foraged from the land around us and prepared with the assistance of Chef Sherman, along with Masselow’s Chef Tanya Broesder and her team! Sherman, a James Beard award-winning chef well-known for embracing and revitalizing Native American cuisine throughout the country, will speak on his commitment to reclaiming indigenous foods. By utilizing the true flavors accessible to Native ancestors, the menu will be naturally free of gluten, dairy, cane sugar, soy, and pork.
- Thursday, November 3 – 5 p.m. ($75 + gratuity, taxes, fees)
- Thursday, November 3 – 7:30 p.m. ($75 + gratuity, taxes, fees)
Tribal Artisan & Vendor Fair
Get an early start on your holiday shopping and support an indigenous-owned business with unique handmade goods.
- Thursday, November 10 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, November 11 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, November 12 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Native-American Inspired Dining Specials Available throughout November
- EPIC Menu Items:
- Trout BLT – Lightly breaded trout, arugula, tomato, bacon, prickly pear jam, lemon garlic aioli on Focaccia, served with EPIC fries
- Indian Taco – Seasoned ground bison, roasted corn, lettuce, pico de gallo, cheddar jack cheese, served on housemade fry bread, topped with crème fraîche
- Grilled Salmon – Served with roasted squash, wild rice, and wild berry sauce
- East Pan Asian Cuisine:
- Banh Bison Slider – Grilled Bison, slider bun, pickled daikon & carrots, cilantro, and sriracha mayo
- Teriyaki Grilled Salmon – Grilled local King salmon, seasonal vegetables, and white rice
- Japanese Cheesecake – with Huckleberry ginger compote
- Highball: A Modern Speakeasy:
- Huckleberry Cheesecake
- Masselow’s Steakhouse, The Lounge at Masselow’s, and Legends of Fire Menu Item:
- Huckleberry Mascarpone Cheesecake
La Rive Spa Treatments:
These unique spa services draw inspiration from the Tribal burning of sweetgrass in a ceremonial fashion to connect with the Creator, pray and harness positive energy. Call 509.481.6108 to reserve your service today.
- Sx̣sést̓iyeʔ“Sweetgrass” Pedicure
- La Rive Signature Massage – 60-minute massage with sweet grass aromas
Educational Displays:
- Veterans Day display honoring Kalispel Tribal members who served in the US armed forces
- Educational display dedicated to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
- Display dedicated to the ongoing investigation of missing Native children who attended Catholic residential boarding schools
- Back-of-house Team Member-centric display honoring more than 200 employees who are enrolled members of 44 different tribes across the nation
Don’t forget to shop Native American brands in Windfall, the Tribe’s lifestyle and home goods retail store, as well! There’s something for the kids too, including coloring sheets inside all food and beverage outlets that feature native plants and animals with Salish/English translations
Join us at Northern Quest this November and help celebrate Native American Heritage Month!