Snoqualmie Tribe wants police force by Nov. 1

Calling it a crucial step in establishing the tribe as a sovereign nation, Snoqualmie tribal leaders said Thursday they want to form their own police department by Nov. 1 to patrol the tribe's casino site, which is set to open that month.

Police services are "an essential governmental capacity that we should have," said Matt Mattson, tribal administrator. "It's the evolution of the tribe. If you're having to rely on another entity, then you're not truly on your feet."

The Snoqualmie Tribe was granted federal recognition in 1999.

The tribe is asking for a change in a contract it made with the city of Snoqualmie in 2004 to provide police and fire services to its 56 acres of reservation land, off Southeast North Bend Way.

Although the city will continue to provide fire and emergency services for the time being, the tribe may terminate that when it becomes equipped with its own fire and emergency services, according to city documents.

The City Council is expected to vote on the contract change Monday.

Several tribes in the Puget Sound region — such as the Tulalip, Puyallup, and the Suquamish — have their own police forces.

Snoqualmie tribal leaders have said their long-range plan is to develop the casino as an economic engine, reclaim a stake in ancestral lands and ensure the tribe's future for generations to come.

The tribe is in the final stages of negotiations with Snoqualmie Valley Hospital to buy its 48-acre site for $30 million, hospital officials said Thursday. The tribe plans to build a new Native American regional health-care facility there.

The property sits near the tribe's casino site.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com