University of Oregon’s Native American Student Union (UO NASU) is calling for a boycott against Dutch Bros to protest the co-founder’s plans to create a private casino.
The co-founder, billionaire Travis Boersma, plans to put 225 historic horse racing machines into his Flying Lark resort in Grants Pass – creating what is essentially a private casino. Oregon’s Indigenous Tribes oppose the proposal, saying it would violate Oregon law and would cost tribes’ casinos millions of dollars in lost revenue.
“If approved, I would absolutely consider it a casino – and the Oregon Constitution bans private casinos,” said chairman of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Dan Courtney. “[Flying Lark] markets itself as a gaming destination, which is code for ‘casino.’”
UO NASU had called for the boycott of Dutch Bros, which has three locations in Corvallis, to begin as of yesterday, Feb. 11. Head of the student union, Choctaw Tribal member Ashley Younger, said the boycott will go on until Boersma “stops this treaty violation.”
“It is supposed to be a right for Natives in Oregon to own and operate casinos,” said Younger. “This is supposed to be a privilege that’s not extended past those reservations and those past tribes.”
Justin Martin, who is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, added that the potential new casino would be a harmful transfer of wealth.
“The casino money we use for housing, healthcare and other services – for the benefit of one wealthy individual,” said Martin. “That’s all this is.”
The Dutch Bros founder’s application for the horse racing machines was submitted in October of 2021 and is still under review.
By Momoko Baker
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