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 established 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.

  • Fisheries Enhancement Biologist – The Tulalip Tribes

    July 7, 2017

    Download Announcement Makes technical recommendations to the Salmonid Enhancement Scientist and the Fisheries Program Manager regarding the application of enhancement science and salmonid biology to make improvements to the tribe’s hatchery enhancement program.  Applies knowledge of enhancement biology in the preparation of grant applications and technical reports concerning monitoring, research, and operational and facilities improvements […]

  • Natural Resource Climate Change Specialist – Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe

    June 29, 2017

    Download Announcement The Natural Resource Climate Change Specialist will provide technical expertise and coordination support to develop and integrate Tribal priorities regarding climate change. Take lead in developing strategies to adapt to climate change effects on Tribal treaty resources. Work directly with Natural Resource Department personnel and partnering entities to develop and implement the Tribe’s […]

  • Environmental Technician Aide – Swinomish Tribal Community

    June 16, 2017

    Download Announcement Responsible for performing field data and sample collection for the Swinomish Water Resources Program as well as clerical and administrative work such as filing and record keeping. Coordinates with Water Resources staff to collect data, perform equipment audits, and maintain equipment and laboratory. This is a full-time, temporary position based in the Swinomish […]

RSS News from nwtreatytribes.org

  • Makah Tribe Surveys Neah Bay’s Intricate Intertidal Zone
    The Makah Tribe is studying marine habitat and species along its rocky shoreline in Neah Bay this summer. Makah’s marine ecologist Adrianne Akmajian and a team of technicians are noting the types of seaweed, grasses and algae, plus urchins, anemones, snails, sea stars and other invertebrates. The tribe is focusing on 28 sections of beach […]
  • Lummi Nation samples zooplankton to improve crab management
    The Lummi Nation is sampling crab larvae to improve harvest management and contribute to salmon marine survival research. “Because of the reduction of other fisheries, crab is more important than ever for Lummi fishers or Lummi families depending on fishers for support,” said Evelyn Brown, Lummi fisheries analyst. “Without crab, the economic base from fishery […]
  • Quinault: Keep Atlantic Salmon on the East Coast
    The Quinault Indian Nation thinks the state can do a better job responding to the recent spill of 165,000 Atlantic salmon into Puget Sound. In the most recent edition of their newspaper Nugguam, the tribe called on the state to expand the focus of its response to include the Pacific Ocean and coastal rivers. They […]