Category: Recent News

Agreement signed with Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to assist tribal veterans

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The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs signed a formal agreement with the Coquille Indian Tribe last week that will provide a framework for collaboration and increased resources dedicated to supporting the Tribe’s veterans in accessing their earned federal and state veterans’ benefits.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed Tuesday, May 13, by ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels and Tribal Council Vice Chair Jen Procter Andrews, with Tribal government leaders and representatives, Tribal veterans and ODVA staff gathered to commemorate the historic partnership.

The formal signing was hosted on the Tribe’s sovereign land in North Bend in a ceremony that honored both the significance of the partnership and the traditions of the Coquille Indian Tribe.

The World Newspaper – May 29, 2025

KVAL-TV – May 29, 2025

Hoodline.com – May 29, 2025

Coquille Tribe to rename casino after 30 years of success

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Coos Bay, OR – The Coquille Tribe and the Coquille Economic Development Corporation are celebrating 30 years of casino operations along the shores of Coos Bay by renaming the Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park. The new name will be Ko-Kwel Casino Resort | Coos Bay.

The Mill Casino originally opened on May 19, 1995, transforming an old sawmill into the top tourist destination in Southern Oregon. Each year, approximately one million visitors come to Coos Bay to enjoy gaming, a variety of dining options, and numerous entertainment events.

“It was time for the Coquille Indian Tribe’s long-standing gaming and hospitality brand to clearly represent tribal ownership and the core values that define our leadership and service standards, to be proudly recognized as “Coquille,” states Margaret Simpson, CEO of the Coquille Economic Development Corporation, which manages the tribe’s gaming and hospitality operations with its diverse economic portfolio. “The tribe has faced significant challenges in its journey towards self-reliance over the past 35 years. As we expand our hospitality brand and outreach, we wanted to unify our projects under a single brand that honors our culture and recognizes the achievements of our tribal citizens.”

“The Ko-Kwel Casino Resort in Coos Bay will continue the legacy of the Mill as the economic engine for the region, allowing the tribe’s commitment to expanding our hospitality offerings throughout the Pacific Northwest,” explains Coquille Tribal Chair Brenda Meade. “Coquille has held deep historical significance in this region from time immemorial; it’s time we introduce that significance to the rest of the world through our branding.”

The new Ko-Kwel Casino Resort is undergoing a massive expansion project, including Oregon’s first tribally owned distillery, golf swing suites, enhanced dining options, and retail areas. “The new name, added amenities, and our renewed commitment to world-class hospitality are essential for our continued success in the competitive and ever-evolving destination travel market,” says Simpson. “Our team here is exceptional. Our new identity reflects years of hard work and dedication to this vision and will serve as a source of pride for all our team members for generations to come.”

KCBY-TV – May 19, 2025

Businesswire.com – May 19, 2025

KLCC.org – May 20, 2025

indiangaming.com – May 21, 2025

KOIN-TV – May 21, 2025

The Oregonian/OregonLive.com – May 23, 2025

  

Coquille Tribe opens new opioid treatment center in Eugene to fight Lane County overdoses

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EUGENE, Ore. — The Coquille Tribe held a ribbon cutting Friday for its brand-new opioid treatment center in Eugene, the Ko-kwel Wellness Center, which aims to combat overdoses in Lane County.

The clinic, along River Road, is not just open to tribal families and other indigenous people – it’s also accessible to the general public.

According to Oregon Health Authority, the death rate among Native Americans is more than double the state average.

KVAL-TV – May 9, 2025

Coquille Tribe and Bay Area First Step hit home run

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The Coquille Indian Tribe and Bay Area First Step recently formed a community partnership to take a swing at a challenging issue on the south coast, and they expect to bring the results of that partnership home this May. Literally.

In 2023, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) awarded the Coquille Indian Tribe a $1.2 million grant. $735,000 of that grant award could be passed through to Bay Area First Step under the Tribal Residential and Housing Service Element Program. By the end of 2023, CIT and Bay Area First Step reached a Memorandum of Agreement that has now led, in January of this year, to the closing on some property in North Bend. That property will serve as transitional housing for those in mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Full Press Release

The World Newspaper – April 21, 2025

Tribe grants helping fund 28 projects in local communities

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The Coquille Indian Tribe Community Fund is helping 28 projects through the distribution of almost $200,000 in grants that were handed-out at a celebration on Feb. 6, 2025.

Grant recipients gathered in person at the awards reception at The Mill Casino-Hotel. The Tribe’s grants will help organizations from five southwestern Oregon counties (Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, and Lane) with projects in seven categories: education, public safety, arts & culture, environment, historic preservation, health, and problem gaming. See the press release for details.

Press Release

Interview: Advancing indigenous representation in the spirits industry

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In this exclusive interview, Justin Stiefel, CEO of Heritage Distilling Co, discusses the steps taken to establish Oregon’s first tribally-owned distillery. He highlights the importance of overturning the 1834 law that restricted tribal involvement in distilling and shares how the Tribal Beverage Network (TBN) is creating economic opportunities, empowering Native American communities and setting the stage for greater diversity and inclusion in the spirits industry.

FoodBev.com – February 18, 2025

Aquatic Safety Programs receive boost from Coquille Tribe

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The Curry County Board of Commissioners has approved a $6,000 grant from the Coquille Tribal Community Fund to bolster the county’s Aquatic Safety Program.

 

The funding will be used specifically for the purchase of Personal Watercraft (PWC), essential equipment for the program’s operations. The program, which plays a crucial role in water safety initiatives within the county, is already partially supported by grants from other regional partners.

Curry Coastal Pilot – February 8, 2025

Oregon makes history with first tribal distillery

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After more than two years of planning, a distillery will open on Tribal land in Oregon, in which both Heritage and Coquille-branded spirits will be produced and bottled. These products will then be sold in the bars, restaurants and retail outlets of The Mill Casino-Hotel in Coos Bay, Oregon.

The project is expected to open to the public by the end of the year.

“After more than two years of planning, negotiating with the state of Oregon, and completing design work, we are thrilled to have broken ground on this historic project,” said Margaret Simpson, CEO of CEDCO, which operates The Mill Casino-Hotel & RV Park.

South Sound – February 4, 2025

The Drinks Business – February 5, 2025

KOBI-TV – February 6, 2025

Coquille Tribe Gets Green Light to Build Medford Casino

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The Coquille Indian Tribe recently received federal permission to build a casino off the interstate in Medford, a cap to a rocky 13-year public process.

The Department of the Interior signed a record of decision in the matter Jan. 10, the Oregon Journalism Project reported.

Oregon Business – January 21, 2025

KDRV.com – January 15, 2025

Rogue Valley Times – January 15, 2025

Oregon Public Broadcasting – January 14, 2025

The Oregonian – January 13, 2025