Coquille Tribe Addresses Criticism of Oregon Casino Project

The Coquille Tribe’s proposed casino project in Medford, Oregon, has ignited a heated debate, with Chair Brenda Meade defending against a wave of criticism and misinformation purported by opposing tribes. These opponents, based in both California and Oregon, have accused the Coquille Tribe of “reservation shopping” and unjustly expanding their landholdings. However, Meade refutes these claims, attributing the project’s origin to an application made in 2012 to take land into trust in Medford, a significant service area for the tribe. Highlighting the necessity for an on-reservation casino, she underscored its potential to enhance services and address the needs of their citizens, families, and the Medford community.

Meade further justified the Medford location by noting it has the second-highest concentration of Coquille citizens, reflecting the tribe’s historical struggles for recognition and rights. Pointing to the Coquille Restoration Act, which defined a five-county service area that includes Medford, she argued that the project’s backlash stems from a deep-rooted misunderstanding of tribal land rights. Claims by other tribes, she suggested, are driven by fears of losing their gaming monopoly along Oregon’s I-5 corridor. Meade called these

Meade further justified the Medford location by noting it has the second-highest concentration of Coquille citizens, reflecting the tribe’s historical struggles for recognition and rights. Pointing to the Coquille Restoration Act, which defined a five-county service area that includes Medford, she argued that the project’s backlash stems from a deep-rooted misunderstanding of tribal land rights. Claims by other tribes, she suggested, are driven by fears of losing their gaming monopoly along Oregon’s I-5 corridor. Meade called these accusations baseless, emphasizing that the Coquille’s actions are well within their legal rights.