Feds pay Tulalips and others for poor salmon returns on Fraser River
The Daily Herald of Everett reported on the federal relief money given to tribes for the failure of the Fraser River sockeye fishery: The Tulalips and eight other local American…
Don’t let fishing be the scapegoat
Fishing opportunities in Northwest waters have just about disappeared. It’s a situation that has strained relations between Indians and non-Indians – the state, local governments, environmental organizations, businesses and even fishermen. It’s also a condition we can improve, if we follow the truth, and that truth goes right to habitat. Fishermen have made the lion’s share of sacrifice so far, and cutting back on fisheries to the degree we have has not been easy on our people. Empty freezers and smoke houses hurt deeply, physically, economically and culturally.
Being Frank: Wisdom, Foresight, Courage And The Three “G’s”
OLYMPIA (April 11, 2006) — It’s a simple fact of Nature. Salmon need clean, cool water.
But meeting the water needs of salmon in today’s world is no easy task. It takes wisdom, foresight and courage. It also takes the cooperation and collaboration of the three “G’s” the federal, state and tribal governments. Local governments are also obviously important, as are non-governmental entities, but let’s concentrate on the owners and managers of the water resource rather than those who need state permits to use it.
Status Of Things To Come
January 5, 2004
As we embark on the year 2004, it seems worthwhile to evaluate the status of the treaties that spell out the legal relationship that exists between tribal and non-tribal governments here. It’s been 150 years since the first Washington Territorial Governor, Isaac Stevens, set foot here. From some counts, it has been seven generations since he established treaties, acting on behalf of the United States.
The treaties were, in fact, a federal prerequisite to the creation of Washington. No treaties, no state. No treaties, no landowners. No houses, no industries, no highways, no anything. And, whether you’re aware of it or not, that legal relationship still exists.
Governor Locke Chooses to Sign Bad News Bills Over Tribes’ Objection
OLYMPIA (June 24, 2003)– Governor Locke signed the highly controversial water bills quietly and without fanfare Friday. The bills, dubbed the “water grab and hoarding bills of 2003” by the tribal governments that co-own the water with the state and federal governments, send a clear message that the state has little regard for environmental health, says Billy Frank, Jr., chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.
“These are bad news bills,” said Frank. “We’ve said so all along. They’re bad for the environment and they’re bad for the state/tribal relationship.”
United Tribes Distribute Water Principles
OLYMPIA (Jan. 13, 2003) — Indian tribes today released a list of principles they say the state must comply with in setting water policy. The principles, which were distributed to the Governor’s Office, state legislators and state agencies, were accompanied by a letter from Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Chairman Billy Frank, Jr. which stated that tribes hold the senior water right in the state and that this fact, in addition to treaty law, requires the state to protect water with a priority toward sustaining fish and wildlife habitat.
“The senior right is not held by the public utility districts. It’s not held by the cities, and it’s not held by corporations or the counties. It’s held by the tribal governments, along with the state and federal governments. These are the governments that actually own the water, on behalf of their respective citizens. That’s the law, and yet the state has consistently ignored the tribes in its legislative and management practices and policies,” said Frank.
Tribes Hold The Senior Water Right
January 14, 2003
With the 2003 State Legislature now in session, water is again a key environmental issue being considered by the state lawmakers.
Another thing they must consider is that the tribes hold the senior water right in this state. The senior right is not held by the public utility districts. It’s not held by the cities, and it’s not held by corporations or the counties. It’s held by the tribal governments—along with the state and federal governments. These are the governments that actually own the water, on behalf of their respective citizens. That’s the law, and yet the state has consistently ignored the tribes in its legislative and management practices and policies.