Olympia Wa Archives - Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

Tired of Salmon?

Post author:Billy Frank, Jr.
Post published:January 8, 2009
Post category:Being Frank

OLYMPIA – There’s a new bug that’s been going around for the last couple years. State and federal elected officials and bureaucrats seem to be coming down with it more than anyone else.

It’s called “salmon fatigue” and from what I can tell, it’s a brain infection that makes you tired of trying to save the salmon.

If we cried about fatigue every time we came up against a difficult problem in this country, where would we be? I don’t understand how you can get tired of trying to save the salmon.

What those infected with salmon fatigue are really saying is “stop coming to me and talking about salmon.” (more…)

Office Locations

Post author:Bryan Bougher
Post published:June 5, 2008
Post category:

For general questions or comments, you may use our Contact Form or send an email to . Main Office - Olympia, WA 6730 Martin Way E. Olympia, WA 98516…

Not an Isolated Incident

Post author:Billy Frank, Jr.
Post published:June 3, 2008
Post category:Being Frank

OLYMPIA, WA (March 7, 2008) — So-called exempt wells could potentially run our rivers dry. Our rivers are connected to the ground waters and what affects one affects the other.…

Listen To The Salmon

Post author:Billy Frank, Jr.
Post published:March 7, 2006
Post category:Being Frank

OLYMPIA, WA (March 7, 2006) — This week I am turning 75 years young—time for me to think about what to do with the next half of my life.

But seriously, everyone who knows me knows I’ll continue to fight, to the last breath, to help restore salmon to the rivers of the Pacific Northwest—at harvestable levels. If I am remembered by anyone in future generations, let it be as a fisherman.

Cutting back our fisheries so sharply over the past quarter century to protect declining runs has been painful to Northwest Indians. The salmon’s decline has in no way been the fault of the tribes, but because our historic roots run so deep here we feel an ongoing responsibility, to our ancestors and the generations to come, to help solve the problem.

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Regarding Leadership and Habitat

Post author:Billy Frank, Jr.
Post published:October 20, 2005
Post category:Being Frank

OLYMPIA, WA (10/19/05)– How do you measure leadership in natural resource management? When it comes to saving the salmon resource, leadership must be measured in terms of heart, concern for our descendants and the ability to demonstrate courage and integrity in the face of great odds.

I have spoken for the salmon for more than 50 years, and I will tell you this: If salmon go extinct, it will be due to lost and damaged habitat.

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Being Frank: Everyone Should Celebrate The Makah Whale Hunt

Post author:Billy Frank, Jr.
Post published:May 21, 1999
Post category:Being Frank

Those who do not understand the Makah will question the logic of hunting an animal that means so much to them. Yet the principle is the same for all species of fish and wildlife. Non-Indians have always tried to force their way of life on the Indian. Yet we have lived here for thousands of years, in harmony with nature. Many non-Indian ways are strange to us. They permit their chiltheir children dine on meat without teaching them to be grateful to the animals that died to feed them. Even vegetarians can be hypocritical. Agricultural practices kill more of nature's creatures through habitat destruction than fishing and hunting ever will.