The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) is a natural resources management support service organization for 20 treaty Indian tribes in western Washington. Headquartered in Olympia, the NWIFC employs approximately 65 people with satellite offices in Burlington and Forks.

NWIFC member tribes are: Lummi, Nooksack, Swinomish, Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, Tulalip, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Nisqually, Squaxin Island, Skokomish, Suquamish, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Makah, Quileute, Quinault, and Hoh.

The NWIFC was created following the 1974 U.S. v. Washington ruling (Boldt Decision) that re-affirmed the tribes’ treaty-reserved fishing rights. The ruling recognized them as natural resources co-managers with the State of Washington with an equal share of the harvestable number of salmon returning annually.

Read more on our About Us page.

  • Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Sergeant – Skokomish Indian Tribe

    August 9, 2018

    Download Announcement Primarily responsible for participation of fish and wildlife enforcement patrol in the Skokomish Tribe’s U&A fishing area and hunting grounds. Protect tribal treaty rights and the natural resources. Conduct patrols by boat or motor vehicle of all lands, tidelands, beaches and waterways within or adjacent to the Skokomish Tribe’s U&A and hunting grounds […]

  • StreamNet Library Project Leader/Librarian – Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC)

    August 8, 2018

    Download Announcement Manage and guide the StreamNet Library, a small specialized collection that provides access to data and literature on Columbia River Basin fish, fisheries, and fisheries research. The incumbent will be inspired and expected to provide leadership and full library support including catalog oversight, reference services, collection development, inter-library loan services, archiving, staff management, […]

  • Fisheries Geneticist – Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC)

    August 8, 2018

    Download Announcement Conduct/support laboratory analyses with next-generation sequencing methods. Perform data analysis with heavy emphasis on population genetics. Develop sampling designs and protocols for studies. Execute research in accord with developed proposals. Produce reports and peer reviewed publications of key scientific results. Develop research proposals to attract extramural funding. Participate in inter-agency workgroups, as necessary. Provide technical advice and reviews in […]

RSS News from nwtreatytribes.org

  • Suquamish Tribe, Partners Explore Hatchery Program for Cockles
    The Suquamish Tribe is researching development of a hatchery program for cockles. “While they are not harvested commercially by the tribe, they have cultural value,” said Elizabeth Unsell, a shellfish biologist for the tribe. Tribal members have seen populations decline significantly on beaches where they harvest regularly, she said. “Tribal members love them so we […]
  • Being Frank: Tribes Support Sea Lion Removal Legislation
    Being Frank is a monthly column written by the chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. As a statement from the NWIFC chair, the column represents the interests and concerns of treaty Indian tribes throughout western Washington. Federal legislation allowing lethal removal of more sea lions in the lower Columbia River is a good step […]
  • Treaty Tribes Hosted Mother Earth Conference
    Medicine Creek treaty tribes welcomed activists to the Protect Mother Earth Conference earlier this summer. The conference was hosted by the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Wa-He-Lut Indian School. “The work going on here today is very important,” said David Bean, vice-chair of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. “For the last few years, we’ve been […]