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Being Frank
August 2018
Cooperation Key to Salmon Recovery
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson didn’t have to take the culvert case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Instead of continuing the state’s shameful history of denying tribal treaty-reserved fishing rights, he could have chosen a path of … Continue reading
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July 2018
Tribes Celebrate the Return of Salmon
Every spring and summer, many tribes throughout the region celebrate the return of the salmon and the beginning of salmon fishing season. My tribe, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, holds a First Salmon Ceremony and Blessing of the Fleet in … Continue reading
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June 2018
Cooperation Spawns Hope
“The spirit of cooperation must guide us. It is how we will be able to bring back the salmon.” These words from our late leader Billy Frank Jr. become more important every day. Even though we’ve all done a lot … Continue reading
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May 2018
Poor Salmon Returns Expected
As the tribal and state co-managers begin the annual salmon season setting process, the effects of drought and poor ocean conditions over the past few years — combined with ongoing loss of habitat — are leading to another year of … Continue reading
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March 2018
Hirst “Fix” Wrong Move
In a hasty move to “fix” the Hirst ruling, the State Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee are writing a bad check on our limited water supply at the cost of salmon, future generations and holders of senior water rights. They’ve … Continue reading
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February 2018
Ecosystem Out of Balance
All natural resources are connected and we are all connected to them, but most of those resources are not being managed as part of a larger whole, and that can lead to huge imbalances in this ecosystem we call home. … Continue reading
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January 2018
Accord Fosters Cooperation
A 28-year-old investment in cooperation and government-to-government relations between Indian tribes and the state of Washington is still paying off today. Through the 1989 Centennial Accord the tribes and state committed to work together for the common good of everyone … Continue reading
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December 2017
Bold Action Needed for Salmon Recovery
Frustrated with the lack of progress in salmon recovery — especially Puget Sound chinook — treaty tribes in western Washington have proposed seven bold actions to jump-start those efforts. Puget Sound chinook were listed under the Endangered Species Act in … Continue reading
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Oct/Nov 2017
Atlantic Salmon Must Go
The backlash against Atlantic salmon farms in western Washington continues to grow as more than 100,000 of the non-native fish remain unaccounted for following the collapse of a Cooke Aquaculture facility in northern Puget Sound last month. Treaty tribes in … Continue reading
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August 2017
Let’s Move Past the Culvert Case
The state of Washington has made remarkable progress in the past four years toward meeting a federal court mandate to repair hundreds of fish-blocking culverts under state roads. Failing culverts deny tribal treaty-reserved fishing rights that include the right for … Continue reading
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