In a move that has sparked heated debate and opposition, the Biden administration is set to give the green light for the Coquille Indian Tribe to build a second casino far beyond its territory in Medford, Oregon. This decision has faced strong pushback from other tribes, Democrats, and lawmakers in the region who argue that it infringes upon tribal sovereignty and could set a dangerous precedent for off-reservation casinos.
The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is expected to issue a final environmental impact statement (EIS) approving the Coquille Tribe’s proposal for the off-reservation casino, known as the Cedars at Bears Creek. The draft EIS, released in November 2022, received criticism from various regional tribes, tribes nationwide, and bipartisan lawmakers who oppose the project.
Opponents, including the California Nations Indian Gaming Association and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, argue that the casino would negatively impact nearby tribes’ gaming revenue and violate their sovereign rights. They also express concerns about the potential for further conflicts between tribes and the financial implications for communities that rely on gaming revenue.
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, along with Democratic Senator Alex Padilla of California, have voiced their opposition to the project, citing the potential negative consequences on tribes’ gaming facilities and vital governmental services. Democratic Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and several representatives from Oregon and California have also opposed the casino.
A coalition of tribes in the region, led by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, has appealed to the federal government to reject the proposal. They argue that the casino would significantly impact their gaming revenue, with estimates suggesting a 25% decrease for Cow Creek’s Seven Feathers Casino Resort.
Experts in Native American history, such as Stephen Dow Beckham from Oregon State University’s Lewis & Clark College, have criticized the proposal as “wrongheaded” and warned of the detrimental impacts on neighboring tribes. They argue that the Coquille Tribe’s attempt to justify a second casino in the Rogue River Valley encroaches upon the ancestral lands of other tribes.
In response to the growing opposition, tribal leaders from California, Louisiana, and the Karuk Tribe have penned an op-ed, calling on President Biden to reject the proposed casino. They argue that approving the project would have far-reaching consequences, causing casino gaming to cascade nationally and disproportionately affecting historically marginalized Indigenous peoples.
The Coquille Tribe argues that the second casino would address financial hardships caused by changing demographics, economic stagnation, and increasing costs. They contend that the revenue generated from the casino would sustain existing tribal programs and support new initiatives critical to meeting the needs of their growing membership.
As the BIA prepares to issue its final EIS, the debate over the Coquille Tribe’s second casino continues to intensify. The decision will have significant implications for tribal sovereignty, intertribal relations, and the future of gaming in Oregon.
