The Coquille Tribe's plan to establish The Cedars at Bear Creek, a new slot-machine-only casino in Medford, Oregon, has ignited fierce opposition and legal challenges from regional tribes and local leaders.
According to Mail Online, the contentious development could potentially disrupt the balance of tribal gambling operations.
The Cedars at Bear Creek is slated to occupy the site of the former Roxy Ann Lanes bowling alley, transforming it into a gambling venue solely featuring slot machines. This plan has drawn local ire and attracted the attention of other tribes and political figures concerned about its implications.
Judy Farm, the Executive Director of Tribal One, argues that the Coquille Restoration Act justifies their right to pursue economic ventures in designated counties, including the location of the proposed casino. This act is central to the tribe’s argument for the development's legality and potential benefits.
However, Carla Keene, the Cow Creek Band chairman, has voiced significant concerns regarding the negative effects on her tribe's financial and cultural well-being. She emphasizes that this project could set a dangerous precedent for off-reservation gaming, which she believes could lead to competitive and cultural discord among tribes.
Legal Battles and Tribal Tensions Rise in Oregon
The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, together with the Karuk Tribe and Tolowa Dee-ni Nation, has pursued legal action to halt this development. They seek a temporary restraining order against the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and officials from the Biden administration, stressing that the consultation process was inadequate.
Keene articulates that multiple pleas for meaningful dialogue were ignored, leading to the decision to pursue legal avenues as a last resort. She claims, “This legal action is our option of last resort after being denied repeated requests for consultation,” pointing out a breakdown in communication and respect between the federal authorities and the tribes.
This dispute has caught the attention of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, who intervened by requesting an extension of the commenting period to allow more time for all stakeholders to express their opinions and concerns about the project. Unfortunately, the tension between these tribal factions and the federal administration persists.
Concerns Over Cultural Impact and Economic Competition
“Historically speaking, the Coquille simply did not exist in Medford,” stated Keene, questioning the historical legitimacy of the Coquille Tribe's claim to the land where the casino is to be built. This aspect adds another layer to the controversy, complicating the cultural and ancestral claims typically associated with tribal gaming ventures.
Keene further criticizes Secretary Deb Haaland and her department for the perceived disregard for their concerns, stating that their tribe felt “voiceless and defeated.” The Cow Creek Tribe fears that the casino will lead to significant economic downsides, affecting crucial funding for health, safety, and education in their community.
The proximity of the Cow Creek Tribe’s Seven Feathers Casino Resort, located about an hour's drive from the proposed new site, also intensifies the potential financial impact, potentially diverting visitors and revenue from one casino to another, fostering an environment of intertribal competition.
Final Decisions Await Amidst Growing Dispute
In response to the controversy, the Record of Decision for the Medford casino will be made public following the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ final assessment and will be published in the Federal Register. The outcome of this decision will likely determine the future course of tribal casino developments in the region.
As this situation continues to unfold, the involved parties await a resolution that will not only influence economic landscapes but could also redefine intertribal relationships and operational precedents in tribal gaming across the United States.
The decision to establish The Cedars at Bear Creek remains suspended in a web of legal, cultural, and economic complications, with broad implications for the tribal communities involved and the governance of tribal lands and enterprises in the future.
