SANTA ROSA (CelebrityAccess) – The Koi Nation of Northern California (Koi Nation) announced a coalition of current and former elected officials, public agencies, labor unions, tribal governments, and members of the public that have voiced their backing for its proposed Shiloh Resort and Casino project in unincorporated Sonoma County.
“The Koi Nation is overjoyed its proposed project has received overwhelming support from a broad cross-section of the community, fellow tribes, and the public.”
The Koi Nation’s project has won the support of:
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma
The Northern California Carpenters Union
Lake County Sheriff Bryan Martin (ret.)
Santa Rosa City Councilmember Tom Schwedhelm (ret.)
Santa Rosa City Councilmember John Sawyer (ret.)
Actor and environmentalist Peter Coyote
Sonoma County Fire District
Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians
Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe
Bishop Paiute Tribe
Hopland Band of Pomo Indians
Ione Band of Miwok Indians
Guidiville Indian Rancheria
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians
Tejon Indian Tribe
Jamul Indian Village of California
Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians
Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria
Chicken Ranch Rancheria
Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation
Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Redding Rancheria
Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians
Yurok Tribe
“The Koi Nation is overjoyed its proposed project has received overwhelming support from a broad cross-section of the community, fellow tribes, and the public,” said Darin Beltran, Chairman of the Koi Nation Tribal Council. “The coalition of our supporters share a recognition of the project’s immense value potential for the Sonoma County community and the moral imperative underlying our effort to right historical wrongs and reestablish our people’s tribal land base.”
The announcement of support comes as the Koi Nation awaits the United States Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approval of its proposed project’s Environmental Assessment (EA). On September 12, 2023, the BIA issued a Notice of Availability for the EA, initiating a 60-day public review period, which concluded on November 13, 2023. This EA is available to view here.
“The Koi Nation believes it has become increasingly important for tribal governments to advocate for one another as we seek to establish and exercise the sovereign rights we all share under federal law,” said Dino Beltran, Vice Chairman of the Koi Nation’s Tribal Council and its Director of Development. “It is our hope that tribal governments continue to join the eighteen of our brother and sister tribes that have already voiced support and advocacy for our people’s long overdue effort to build a self-sustaining economic future through the placement of land into trust for gaming purposes.”
Koi Nation plans to build the Shiloh Resort and Casino on its property at 222 E. Shiloh Road. The project will include a 2,500 Class III gaming machine facility, a 400-room hotel, six restaurant and food service areas, a meeting center, and a spa. The design for the low-rise facility integrates with the site’s natural beauty. It will be energy-efficient and environmentally respectful, keeping the Tribe’s historic relationship with the land.