SUQUAMISH — A little more than four months after it opened to the public, the Clearwater Casino Hotel was dedicated during a two-night celebration that included an honoring ceremony for the tribal elders. As the number of guests ebbed and flowed, the Suquamish Tribe stood proudly next to its newest milestone.

Local business and government leaders were invited to the official opening ceremony of the hotel Sept. 28, which included an evening meal and fireworks.

“We saluted the elders (Sept. 27) with a blanket presentation,” said Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman. “There was a good meal both nights. It was really relaxing and enjoyable.”

The hotel has been rated as one of the best in the county, said Poulsbo City Councilman Ed Stern, and is already drawing more people to the area.

“As far as the whole North End goes, this is the finest hotel facility in Kitsap County,” he said. “It may not be the largest, but it sure is the finest.”

“(The hotel) has been well-received by the guests,” said Clearwater Casino CEO Russell Steele. “Everybody’s amazed at the view and the finished property.”

The hotel not only boasts four stars to incoming visitors, but also traditional Salish artwork and historical photos from the Suquamish Tribal Museum, said Clearwater Casino Resort media coordinator April Leigh.

“The casino makes this property a destination resort,” she said. “It gives the tribe the chance to showcase its heritage. This tribe has such a rich history, now it has an economic platform to showcase that heritage on.”

The tribal elders, a living part of such history, were honored for working so diligently to achieve this goal, Leigh said.

“I felt a great deal of pride for the tribe,” Stern said. “The elders have bootstrapped themselves up the last 25 years. This is a testaments to how hard they’ve worked.”

“Poulsbo and the tribe share a common language now in economic development,” he said, adding that in the past the two governments argued more than they agreed on various matters. “Now we have something in common on which we can always agree.”

The hotel will help boost the tribe economy and provide needed jobs in the region, Leigh said. It will also help bridge economic gaps between Suquamish and other communities and open discussion with area leaders and businesses.

“I think it celebrates the tribe’s efforts to diversify economically into the non-gaming industry,” Forsman said.