Overabove Cowlitz Indian Tribe Comprehensive Plan | Page 12
Introduction
The purpose of this Comprehensive Plan is to document our common vision and set
goals to promote the well-being and betterment of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. A part of our
Tribal sovereignty is the inherent power to plan and to decide our own path into the future.
Our greatest obstacles to self-determination are the dispersed nature of our population and a lack of data to
help us understand the needs of our community. Cowlitz Tribal Members are dispersed nationwide, and this
makes it difficult to determine the feasibility of providing services.
One common theme in this process for Tribal Council was: how do we achieve our goals and be fiscally
responsible? We are mindful we cannot provide all services to all people but are determined to be innovative
in our endeavors to engage our membership in this process through outreach and education. It is our goal to
establish ways in which we can deliver information and services, while promoting cultural identity within our
community where and when we can.
Collecting data from our membership as this process moves forward will be critical in evaluating and
planning for success. We ask that you help us in data-driven decision making. You will see this as a theme
as you review the comprehensive plan. There are several ways the General Membership can help us in this
process, such as completing the Tribal Census and US Census when they are issued, participating in surveys
and needs assessments when administered, updating enrollment information, attending meetings such as
Town Halls and being involved (when able) in Tribal activities and events.
Enrolled Cowlitz Tribal
Members by Programmatic
Age Grouping (2018)
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Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Enrolled Tribal Members
by Sex & Age (2018)