"Leaders like Guy and Joe DeLaCruz were the right people for the right time," Ed Johnstone said. "They could see where we needed to go. They had good relations with other tribes and they sought out connections with people who could help. They weren't shy about telling the federal government what their responsibilities were, how they had failed us, and how they could make it right."
This year's annual paddle journey is underway this week in Neah Bay where the Makah Tribe is hosting the 86 canoes. Pictures from parts of the journey and landing in…
Leaders, scientists, policy analysts and legal staff of the Coast Salish Nations will gather April 26-27 to strengthen approaches, relationships and discuss potential issues of the environmental impacts of climate…
The Sol Duc River on the northwestern Olympic Peninsula runs at its lowest and warmest when summer chinook return to its waters every year. Despite being in one of the world’s greatest temperate rain forests, near-drought conditions often occur in late summer before the fall rains begin in earnest.
“These fish are survivors,” said Roger Lien, fish biologist for the Quileute Tribe. After four to five years at sea, the fish return to their river of birth at a difficult time. Low flows go hand in hand with higher water temperatures, placing enormous stress on the fish and making them susceptible to disease. Water temperatures near 70 degrees can be lethal to salmon. (more…)
Alison Kay (Bridges) Gottfriedson, a central figure in the struggle for Indian fishing rights and an advocate for Indian people, passed away on July 18. She was 57 years old.
The daughter of Alvin James Bridges and Puyallup tribal leader Theresa (Maiselle) McCloud Bridges, Gottfriedson grew up in the Frank’s Landing Indian Community. She was arrested many times, along with her sisters Suzette and Valerie, and uncle, Billy Frank Jr., for fishing on the Nisqually River in accordance with Indian treaties. (more…)
The Stillaguamish Tribe will have its first Salmon Ceremony in at least 25 years on July 25. The ceremony marks the first time the tribe has had a ceremonial and…
Billy Frank Jr, chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, wrote a piece about the importance of roadless areas in the Seattle PI:
There seems to be an excess of optimism around these days. People feel like we’ve turned a page, that things we considered not possible are now possible.
One of the previously hopeless fights I hope ends soon is the long legal battle over the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which has the potential to protect more than two million acres of pristine forests in Washington.
(more…)
Russ Svec, fisheries manager for the Makah Tribe, and Craig Bowhay of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission were part of a presentation this morning on fisheries management to a state senate committee.
You can watch their testimony here: (more…)
The Daily Herald of Everett: The new president has been in office for less than 24 hours, but the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission is wasting no time in making their…
Recommendations from the 24 treaty tribes represented by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission regarding treaty tribal natural resources management in the Pacific Northwest.…