08/06/2026
Dear eastern Washington Community,
Over the past several weeks, communities throughout our region, from the Colville Confederate Tribes, Spokane Tribe, and more recently the greater Spokane community have been devastated by wildfires. Our hearts are with all those impacted and displaced by these fires.
As these disasters have unfolded, we have been reaching out and coordinating responses with tribal nations and community partners. Currently, we are distributing grants as we lean into our existing relationships and our firmly held belief that grassroots, by and for organizations are best positioned to serve their communities. Time and again, our partners have shown how connected they are to community needs, as well of the depth of need that exists across our region. In many cases, $5,000 grants are being spent within hours as organizations respond to overwhelming community needs.
In community, we are working alongside the 20 grassroots organizations in the Building Connections Initiative to support information sharing, resource coordination, and access to culturally appropriate services. We also recognize the need for space for community connection and healing, and will be supporting our partners visions for what that space can look like.
These initial efforts are just the first phase of what we know will be a multi-year recovery process. We stand by our communities and are committed to supporting our partners, who are leading the immediate disaster relief and will lead their communities in the long road to recovery ahead.
In community,
Leroy Eadie
P.S. If you’re looking for ways to support grassroots organizations embedded in working directly with impacted communities, find information on grassroots organizations in our region at the link in the comments.
