Carla Keene, Chairman
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Seven Feathers Casino Resort – Canyonville, OR
sevenfeathers.com / cowcreek-nsn.gov
Chairman Carla Keene discusses the steps her tribe is taking to ensure the long-term economic and cultural resilience of their community, and the primary areas of focus for her tribe’s gaming and entertainment enterprise.
RESILIENCE: Wildfire is a growing threat to the homelands of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. Our ancestral footprint of 6.2 million acres is in densely forested, mountainous, and increasingly dry land in Southwest Oregon. The Cow Creek Umpqua have always known that our most precious cultural resources are our natural resources. Our ancestors knew long ago that to protect the forest and the animals that live in it, they had to introduce fire. Cultural burning helped keep down dry fuels, replenished the soil, and ensured fire resistant plants could thrive.
We are working directly with our forest partners to increase the resilience of our forests, and strategically introducing fire to our reservation lands as a way to responsibly manage the wildfire threat. By increasing the health and resiliency of our land, our tribal families can feel safe going into the forests and building a stronger connection to their culture for the next seven generations.
GAMING: The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians believes in the sovereignty of all tribes to be able to provide for their people. But, we believe strongly that this right should not allow for one tribe’s economic enterprises to be at the expense of sister tribes, to neglect public health or safety, or to be outside the compliance with Indian gaming regulatory agencies. We have never hurt another tribe for our own benefit. Businesses that violate those principles risk harming the reputations of Indian economic enterprises throughout the nation. Our businesses work squarely within these lines, and we expect others to do the same. Our economic ventures are in a constant state of remodel, helping to ensure our guests and customers are getting the best possible service for their dollar.
