The five Native American tribes in Idaho have a combined economic impact of US$1.45 billion (AUD 2.15 billion), according to a study by a University of Idaho economist, but "capture only a fraction of the benefits they create", the lead researcher says.
The findings of the 2023 study - The Economic Impacts of the Five Tribes of Idaho on Idaho's Economy - were presented during the Idaho Council on Indian Affairs' meeting at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise on Monday.
The study's principal investigator, University of Idaho research economist Steven Peterson, told the meeting that the tribes contribute significantly to the economy, agriculture, tourism, recreation and hospitality industries and support more than 12,500 jobs across the state, the Idaho Capital Sun reports.
"Their footprint is large enough that if you waved a wand and their activities disappeared, the state of Idaho would likely be thrown into a recession. Their economic impact is that big and substantial," Mr Peterson said.
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Chairman Lee Juan Tyler reminded the council that the study measured the tribes' impact to the state's economy, not the personal economic situations of tribal members.
"Even though we have all this here, there are other aspects of all this, different studies, that's probably not on here, because we still have poverty amongst our people in areas," Mr Tyler said.
"There's homelessness still. There are other aspects of this where we need to find a way to help; Infrastructure, the broadband, wifi."
The Idaho Capital Sun reports that Mr Peterson agreed with Mr Tyler's observations.
"I will point out the paradox is that the five tribes are a huge engine of growth but they capture only a fraction of the benefits they create. So, there is systemic poverty on many of the reservations in rural areas," Mr Peterson said.
"The average income is below the state and below the nation in many areas. They struggle in terms of … basic infrastructure and many basic necessities. So that paradox, even how to frame the report, we have had that discussion because we almost make it seem like the tribes or tribal members are directly benefiting from all of this. They are a little bit, but most of that benefit is going to the surrounding communities and to the economy as a whole. So, there is a dual story here."
Mr Peterson told the Council on Indian Affairs that the five tribes - Coeur d'Alene; Nez Perce; Kootenai; Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall; and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes - rank in the top three employers in their respective regional economies.
"Any way you slice the employment numbers, the tribes are among the biggest employers in the state of Idaho," the principal researcher told the meeting.