Governor Gregoire Archives - Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

Being Frank: Listen to the Heart Beat

Post author:Billy Frank, Jr.
Post published:June 19, 2007
Post category:Being Frank

OLYMPIA (June 19, 2007) – I’ve spoken about the traditional knowledge of our ancestors for many years because within its teachings are the answers to the environmental challenges we all face today.

The heart of traditional knowledge is respect. Learn to listen and you can hear the rhythm of this heartbeat being passed from generation to generation in the ceremonies and stories of our people. Listen and you can feel its valuable lessons in the collective breath of living things big and small. Feel this heart beat and you will feel your own.

(more…)

It Takes More Than Words

Post author:Billy Frank, Jr.
Post published:May 23, 2005
Post category:Being Frank

OLYMPIA (May 20, 2005) — Governor Gregoire says the state and the tribes have far to go in their government-to-government relationship. We couldn’t agree more.

She recently followed the examples of her predecessors in officially endorsing the Centennial Accord, a 1989 state/tribal commitment to work together, as governments, to find mutual solutions to the many challenges we share. The tribes appreciate her words of support because the Accord provides good guidance toward worthwhile achievement.

Still, she would be the first to admit words alone can ring hollow, however inspiring they may be. It will be action, and promises kept, that will measure the success of her administration.

(more…)