The dramatic rotunda entryway welcomes Four Winds guests
The result is a marriage of Vegas pizazz and more muted tribal references : shapes , forms and images that are significant but subtle , sometimes so low-key
Copper is an important element to the Pokagons , hence this striking “ float copper ” rock , mined from Minnesota ’ s that only tribal members will immediately pick up
Northern Peninsula . It is said to be at least 11,000 years old . on them . Inside , those references continue .
In Their Footsteps thing they did not want : overstated Native design elements .
Step into the Emerald Queen , and different aspects “ There was a kind of fad in the 1980s where casinos all over the of the Puyallup story are relayed at every corner , with “ a lot of references to the country had these geometric patterns from the Southwest and tepees — river , to rushing waters , to stones , to the forest and trees ,” says Olbekson . A presentation made to the tribe in February — he describes it as a “ cultural map ”— di- even tribes that didn ’ t have tepees were seeing these expressions in their buildings , because the architects applied symbols from one culture to another ,” says Olbekson , himself a member of the Ojibwe tribe of Min- and the timberline . A walk-through will take guests on a subliminal journey
vides the floor area into four sections depicting the river , the mountain , the sound
nesota . “ We take a research-based approach to our projects , making sure through Puyallup land and history , minus overt cultural clichés . we get buy-ins from the tribe to use certain symbols and design gestures .” Under foot , a carpet pattern is reminiscent of tumbling river water . Overhead , the ceiling design can evoke starry skies or thunderheads of clouds . The de-
The architects and designers also learned what not to include , adds Olbekson , who has seen culturally sensitive imagery used as motifs in sign of Summit Bar is suggestive of a frosty landscape . An F & B outlet contains gaming resorts , “ most likely unbeknownst to designers . Some of those abstracted cedar forms and alpine colors . A buffet used vertical patterns and images are spiritual symbols that are about really personal ceremonial curvilinear forms to represent trees along the riverbank . The 2,000-seat , 21,000- practices reserved for really intimate settings in the community .” square-foot event center will incorporate cedar paneling , evocative of that traditional tribal gathering space , the longhouse .
Those kinds of blunders , he says , can make a caricature of culture . “ You essentially take this winding , sinuous path to each of the different destinations in the interior , by the restaurants , the gaming area , the center bar area and
Making an Understatement
Outside , the Emerald Queen is wrapped in metal panels in an abstracted down to the area of the building that faces the Sound ,” according to Olbekson . basket-weave pattern that at the same time is very contemporary . “ It ’ s a “ Because it ’ s a casino , it has to be fun , bold and memorable . It has to have that Native American pattern , but very subtle — a stippled , bold black and exaggeration . There ’ s a sense of a theme . But this is not Disneyland .” gray metallic , not at all in-your-face ,” says Olbekson . “ It ’ s a very modern In a July 2018 report on the project , the Everett Herald dubbed the new version of texture that ’ s visually engaging , draws you in , and highlights EQC “ Vegas on I-5 .” The publication quoted Tacoma City Council member the space as a place of entertainment and fun .”
Conor McCarthy , who said , “ Make it big and bright and beautiful and sparkly , The tribe ’ s signature colors of black , white and vivid red are evident because we need it . And as much bling as possible .” The tribe apparently agreed . in the building ’ s signage , a leaping-salmon logo , and a giant LED display
The Emerald Queen Casino is expected to open in December — replacing a that faces the highway . These features will let motorists “ experience the casino operating out of tents — and plans are in place to add a $ 65 million hotel , building ” even as they whiz by , says Olbekson . So will big banks of windows that allow outsiders to glimpse all the activity inside . A grand entry-
“ Those tents have been paid off for a long time ,” General Manager Frank
spa and conference center .
way will create a sense of arrival , with traditional male and female Wright told the Herald last year . “ We ’ ve been able to do real well , not only helping welcoming figures etched into the glass . our tribal members — we ’ ve been able to help other people in the community .”
www . tribalgovernmentgaming . com 43