A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 25, celebrated the opening of Sovereign, ilani Casino Resort's new signature steakhouse, replacing the former Michael Jordan's Steak House with a concept designed, owned and operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
Tribal leaders, ilani executives, community members and project partners gathered to mark the opening, describing the restaurant as more than a new dining destination. Speakers emphasized Sovereign as a reflection of tribal sovereignty, culture and the Cowlitz Tribe's continued investment in its future.
"A little over 10 years ago, we first broke ground upon ilani, having won a long-fought battle to return our people to the land that we once stewarded since time immemorial," Cowlitz Chairman Bill Iyall said.
Iyall said ilani has helped strengthen the tribe's self-determination.
"As an enterprise, ilani has been instrumental to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe with its very existence and self-determination,” he said. “It has provided us with something every human being craves, sovereignty. Every tribal member feels sovereignty today. Today, we celebrate the concept with the opening of our latest venture, our new restaurant that is aptly named Sovereign."
Iyall added that the restaurant reflects both the region and the tribe's future.
"This dining establishment will speak to our tribe's connection to our land, our waterways and our region's traditional food systems,” he said. “It also represents a new chapter for ilani as we grow our expertise and capabilities to operate fine dining venues centered on steak, chops, seafood, and a setting that reflects a deep sense of place, culture, connection, and pride."
Cowlitz Elder and Spiritual Leader Tana Engdahl said hospitality has always been central to Cowlitz traditions.
"For the Cowlitz people, hospitality is not a new idea,” she said. “It is older than memory. It is older than written history."
She noted that welcoming guests has long been part of tribal culture.
"When visitors arrived, they were offered food, warmth and friendship,” Engdahl said. “Sharing a meal was never about satisfying hunger, not merely about that. It was about relationships, relatives and respect."
Engdahl said Sovereign continues that tradition while showcasing the tribe's identity.
"It represents self-determination,” she said. “It demonstrates what is possible when a sovereign tribe invests in its own vision, creates opportunity for its people, and welcomes the world with confidence and pride."
Kara Fox-LaRose, president and general manager of ilani, said the new restaurant represents both a business evolution and a cultural statement. She added the restaurant was intentionally designed for a variety of guest experiences.
"Whether guests are looking for a special place to mark a milestone, celebrate their winnings, or simply relax and unwind, the venue has been intentionally designed to offer spaces to accommodate these moments," Fox-LaRose said.
Vice President of Food and Beverage Chris Rippy said the menu emphasizes Pacific Northwest ingredients and regional flavors.
"At Sovereign, we're committed to showcasing the best of the Pacific Northwest,” Rippy said. “We proudly partner with local vendors whenever possible, especially for our seafood and vegetables. This allows us to highlight the incredible flavors of the Pacific Northwest."
Rippy said the restaurant also features an in-house, dry-aging program and a menu that honors the region's heritage.
"Our menu is designed to honor the rich heritage of the Pacific Northwest, including Native American influences, reflecting dishes like our seared plank salmon, as well as our Sovereign fillet plate, which features medallions of beef, elk and bison," he added.
Following the ribbon cutting, guests toured the restaurant, sampled hors d'oeuvres from the culinary team and celebrated the opening of what tribal leaders described as a new chapter for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and ilani Casino Resort.
During its soft opening phase, Sovereign landed mixed reviews between 3 star and 5 star remarks on Google with a 4.2 rating across 11 reviews.
Sovereign is open Tuesday through Sunday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. inside the Casino. For reservations, visit tinyurl.com/yc6edsnp.
