Responding to the controversy surrounding Coquille’s proposed casino project in Medford, Oregon, Brenda Meade, the chair of the Coquille Indian Tribe, has spoken out against the criticism and misinformation spread by opposing tribes. The project has faced significant backlash from several tribes in California and Oregon, who claim that the Coquille was “reservation shopping” and attempting to add land unjustifiably.

The Casino Project Should Bolster Local Communities

Speaking for OregonLive, Meade described how the casino project came into existence. In 2012, the Coquille Tribe applied to take land into trust in Medford, part of their designated service area, for a new on-reservation casino. She noted that the proposed casino, though small, would enable the tribe to expand services and address the needs of their citizens, families, and the broader community.

According to Meade, Medford had the second-highest concentration of Coquille citizens at the time of the tribe’s restoration, justifying the casino project. She emphasized that the Coquille Tribe’s struggle for recognition and rights has been fraught with challenges stemming from historical injustices, including termination and dispossession, expressing dismay that ignorance and misinformation continued to undermine their rights and sovereignty.

Although some things have improved for us, ignorance still leads to ongoing attacks on our rights and sovereignty.

Brenda Meade, Coquille Indian Tribe chair

Meade criticized the opposing tribes’ claims of “off-reservation” gaming and “reservation shopping,” describing these accusations as baseless and rooted in a misunderstanding of tribal land rights. She drew attention to the Coquille Restoration Act, which established a five-county service area for reservation building, influenced by federal policies that dispersed the tribe across the landscape.

Ongoing Lobbying Could Damage Tribal Sovereignty

According to Meade, misleading claims by other tribes had gained traction due to their excessive lobbying as they were afraid of losing their undisputed gaming monopoly along Oregon’s I-5 corridor. She referred to these accusations as baseless, referring to the Coquille Restoration Act as definitive proof that the tribe was within its rights to proceed with the casino project.

Meade appealed to fellow tribal leaders and supporters of tribal rights, urging them to prioritize tribal sovereignty over competitive interests. She recounted how the Coquille Tribe had once faced competition concerns from a neighboring tribe but chose to support tribal rights over maintaining exclusivity. The resulting agreement benefited both parties, highlighting how cooperation could build lasting prosperity.

I would be happy to speak with any tribal leader on how to balance concerns about competition in a way that lifts us all while protecting Oregon’s economy and environment.

Brenda Meade, Coquille Indian Tribe chair

Meade argued that the current backlash could set an unfortunate precedent, subjecting any tribal restoration to years of legal action as millions get wasted on lobbying. Her call for unity and respect for sovereignty was a poignant reminder of the importance of supporting tribal communities in their ongoing fight for recognition and self-determination.

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Efforts by the Coquille Indian Tribe to create a new casino along South Pacific Highway in Medford face opposition from four Tribal Nations based in Northern California and Oregon. The Karuk, Cow Creek, Elk Valley, and Tolowa Dee-ni’ Tribes have united against the Coquille Tribe’s project, drafting a letter to Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland.

A New Casino Could Disrupt the Existing Balance

At the heart of the issue is the Coquille Tribe’s plan to place 2.4 acres of land into trusts through the DOI for the casino project. While this process typically only applies to land near a tribe’s reservation, the proposed site is 150 miles beyond the Coquille Tribe’s reservation. In contrast, the Karuk Tribe’s service area is within 50 miles of the location.

In a letter to DOI Secretary Deb Haaland, four neighboring tribal nations urged her to visit them before issuing an exception to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act for the Coquille Tribe. Speaking for local news outlet KMTR, chair of the Karuk Tribe, Buster Attebery, expressed concerns about the lack of consultation with local tribes regarding the project’s potential economic impacts.

The economic consequences could be huge. It would devastate our ability to provide healthcare, public safety, social services.

Buster Attebery, Karuk Tribe chair 

Attebery emphasized the importance of consulting tribes with ancestral ties to the region, highlighting their millennia of best practices. The four nations opposing the project fear such a high-profile venue could create unnecessary competition and impact their revenue streams. Many tribes rely on their gaming businesses to ensure an adequate standard of living for their members, so Coquille’s project could be considered a hostile action.

The Coquille Tribe’s Efforts Span Several Years

Responding to the rising controversy, Coquille tribal chair Brenda Meade defended the project, citing the Coquille Restoration Act of 1989, authorizing the tribe to take land into trust for economic development within a designated reservation restoration area, including Jackson County. Meade expressed disappointment in the opposition from other tribes, emphasizing the Coquille Tribe’s rights within the reservation restoration area defined by Congress.

It is heartbreaking to us that other tribes, including tribes in California, continue to attack our sovereignty and seek to limit our economic development rights.

Brenda Meade, Coquille tribal chair

The project for a Medford casino previously faced significant opposition from Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, who expressed concerns that the venue would negatively impact all of Oregon’s tribes and lead to a proliferation of gambling. Despite Kotek’s stance, the final decision rests with DOI, which previously rejected the Coquille Tribe’s effort.

As the dispute continues, the fate of the Coquille Tribe’s casino project hangs in the balance, with opposing Tribal Nations advocating for their sovereignty and economic interests in the region. While the new project technically meets the legal requirements, its implications and long-term impact have sparked ongoing debates that could reshape Oregon’s gaming landscape.

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