SAMISH FISHING RIGHTS APPEAL

ANACORTES, Wash. – The Samish Indian Nation goes to court May 3 to resume
its fight for fishing rights allocated to treaty tribes under the 1974
Boldt decision.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco will hear Samish’s
case in Seattle. Samish is asking the court to reopen the case. If Samish
prevails, more hearings will follow in which Samish will present evidence
of its right to fish under the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott.

The Samish had been recognized by the federal government as a tribe since
the 1855 treaty was signed. However, in 1969 the Samish and several other
tribes were dropped from a list of tribes prepared by a Bureau of Indian
Affairs clerk.

Samish Chairman Ken Hansen said the tribe learned of the BIA’s error in
1974, when U.S. District Court Judge George Boldt affirmed the right of 14
Puget Sound-area treaty tribes to half the state’s fishing harvest.
However, Samish was left out because it was not federally recognized at the
time.

Samish challenged Boldt’s ruling on the grounds that it was based on a BIA
error. The tribe was allowed to fish under the Suquamish Tribe until its
challenge was considered. Samish lost its challenge and an appeal in 1979.

When the tribe regained federal recognition in 1996, its treaty rights to
fish were not restored.

Hansen said the effort to regain full treaty rights has been painful. “We
feel as if we’re being ostracized from our own territory,” he said.

TECHNOLOGY OPENS DOORS FOR STUDENTS

SEATTLE – Squaxin Island Tribe students can now access classes and seminars
from Northwest Indian College – 170 miles north – thanks to a learning
center in the Squaxin Island Tribe Museum, Library and Research Center.

A media wall in the learning center allows students to participate in live
college classes by videoconference.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., worked to obtain $180,000 in funding for the
project. She helped dedicate the learning center on Feb. 20.

“[I’d] like to pay a special tribute to the tribal elders, who for more
than 30 years worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality,” Murray said
of the museum and learning center. “Your efforts will ensure that the
culture, traditions and language of the ‘People of the Water’ will continue
for generations.”

Murray said the museum and center are a bridge between the tribe’s rich
cultural history and its future. “It is also a bridge between the youngest
members of the tribe – who can learn about their history and heritage – and
the elders – who have so much to share. And this center is a bridge between
the tribal community and the general public. It’s a place where people from
outside the tribe can come to discover, learn and understand.”

For more information about the museum, visit www.squaxinisland.org.

NORTHWEST TRIBES CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

SEATTLE – Two events are being held in the region to commemorate Earth Day.

Earth Day helps communities across the United States focus on environmental
health and work on projects to improve it.

In La Conner, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., the Swinomish Tribe will host an Earth
Enhancement Celebration on the reservation. Projects include removing
weeds, planning a community garden and picking up beach debris. Volunteers
will be treated to a traditional salmon lunch, dancing, drumming and
informational displays and activities. For more information, call (360)
336-1931.

On April 24 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., volunteers will restore shoreline
habitat along the Duwamish River in Seattle. The river is habitat for
birds, fish and other wildlife. For more information, call (206) 382-7007.