8.4 Native American rights and activism

Native American rights and activism in Washington State have shaped the region's history and modern landscape. From pre-contact societies to treaty negotiations and reservation systems, indigenous peoples have fought to preserve their cultures and sovereignty.

The civil rights era saw increased Native activism, including fish-ins and the landmark Boldt Decision. Today, tribes continue to address challenges through economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental protection efforts, while contributing significantly to Washington's economy and identity.

Pre-contact Native societies

• Washington's indigenous history spans thousands of years before European contact
• Native societies developed complex social structures and sustainable resource management practices
• Understanding pre-contact societies provides context for later conflicts and treaty negotiations

Major tribes in Washington

• Coast Salish peoples inhabited Puget Sound region includes Duwamish, Suquamish, and Tulalip tribes
• Yakama Nation occupied central Washington's Columbia Plateau
• Nez Perce lived in southeastern Washington and neighboring Idaho
• Makah tribe resided on the Olympic Peninsula's northwest coast
• Each tribe developed distinct cultural practices adapted to local environments

Traditional governance structures

• Many tribes organized into autonomous village communities led by respected elders
• Decision-making often involved consensus-building among community members
• Hereditary chiefs played important roles in some tribes but rarely held absolute power
• Complex social hierarchies existed in some coastal tribes includes nobility, commoners, and slaves
• Potlatch system regulated wealth distribution and social status among Northwest Coast tribes

Cultural practices and beliefs

• Salmon played a central role in diet, economy, and spiritual beliefs of many Washington tribes
• Cedar trees provided essential materials for housing, transportation, and art
• Many tribes practiced seasonal migrations to harvest resources (berries, roots, fish)
• Storytelling and oral traditions preserved history and cultural knowledge
• Spiritual practices often centered on animistic beliefs and reverence for nature

Impact of European settlement

• European arrival in the late 18th century dramatically altered Native societies in Washington
• Diseases introduced by settlers decimated Native populations
• Conflicts over land and resources intensified as more settlers arrived

Treaties and land cessions

• Treaty of Medicine Creek (1854) ceded Nisqually and Puyallup lands to U.S. government
• Point Elliott Treaty (1855) established reservations for several Puget Sound tribes
• Yakima Treaty (1855) created Yakama Reservation but led to conflicts over interpretation
• Many treaties signed under duress or with inadequate translation
• Tribes often retained hunting and fishing rights in ceded territories

Reservation system establishment

• Reservations intended to confine Native populations and open land for white settlement
• Many tribes forcibly relocated to unfamiliar territories
• Reservation boundaries often ignored traditional tribal territories and alliances
• Limited resources on reservations led to poverty and food insecurity
• Some tribes resisted relocation resulting in conflicts (Yakima War 1855-1858)

Forced assimilation policies

• Boarding schools removed Native children from families to "civilize" them
• Students forbidden from speaking Native languages or practicing cultural traditions
• Dawes Act (1887) divided tribal lands into individual allotments
• Allotment system weakened tribal cohesion and resulted in significant land loss
• Religious practices like potlatches banned to discourage traditional culture

Early 20th century activism

• Native Americans began organizing to protect their rights and cultural heritage
• Activism laid groundwork for later civil rights movements and legal victories

Fishing rights disputes

• Stevens Treaties guaranteed tribes' right to fish at "usual and accustomed" places
• State regulations increasingly restricted tribal fishing practices
• Nisqually activist Billy Frank Jr. led "fish-ins" to assert treaty rights
• Disputes highlighted conflicting interpretations of treaty language

Tribal sovereignty efforts

• Tribes sought recognition of their status as sovereign nations within U.S.
• National Congress of American Indians founded in 1944 to advocate for tribal rights
• Indian Reorganization Act (1934) encouraged tribal self-governance
• Some tribes adopted constitutions and formal governmental structures
• Efforts to protect tribal jurisdiction over reservation lands and resources intensified

Indian Citizenship Act 1924

• Granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States
• Did not automatically confer voting rights due to state-level restrictions
• Represented shift away from assimilation policies towards recognition of Native rights
• Dual citizenship in tribe and U.S. created complex legal status for Native Americans
• Act's impact varied as some Native Americans viewed citizenship as threat to sovereignty

Civil rights era movements

• Native American activism gained momentum alongside broader civil rights movement
• Increased media attention and public sympathy for Native causes
• Pan-Indian organizations formed to advocate for shared interests across tribes

Fish-ins and protests

• Series of demonstrations in 1960s-70s to assert treaty fishing rights
• Protesters faced arrests, violence, and property destruction
• Gained national media attention and support from civil rights leaders
• Frank's Landing on Nisqually River became focal point of fish-in movement
• Tactics inspired by civil rights sit-ins and non-violent resistance

Boldt Decision 1974

• U.S. v. Washington case reaffirmed tribal fishing rights in Stevens Treaties
• Judge George Boldt ruled tribes entitled to 50% of harvestable salmon
• Decision recognized tribes as co-managers of fishery resources
• Sparked backlash from non-Native fishermen and state officials
• Upheld by Supreme Court in 1979 establishing important legal precedent

Emergence of pan-Indian identity

• Urban relocation programs brought diverse tribal members to cities
• American Indian Movement (AIM) founded in 1968 to address urban Native issues
• Occupation of Alcatraz Island (1969-1971) united Native activists nationwide
• Red Power movement emphasized shared struggles and cultural revitalization
• Pan-Indian powwows and organizations fostered inter-tribal solidarity

Modern tribal governance

• Tribes have developed diverse governance structures to meet contemporary challenges
• Balance between traditional practices and modern administrative needs
• Ongoing efforts to assert sovereignty and self-determination

Federally recognized tribes vs unrecognized

• 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State
• Federal recognition grants access to certain programs and protections
• Unrecognized tribes (Duwamish, Chinook) continue to seek federal acknowledgment
• Recognition process involves demonstrating continuous tribal identity and governance
• State-recognized tribes may receive some benefits but lack full federal protections

Tribal constitutions and elections

• Many tribes operate under constitutions adopted through Indian Reorganization Act
• Regular elections held for tribal council positions and chairpersons
• Some tribes incorporate traditional leadership roles into modern governance structures
• Constitutions define membership criteria and govern internal tribal affairs
• Ongoing debates over blood quantum requirements for tribal enrollment

Economic development initiatives

• Casinos provide significant revenue for many Washington tribes
• Tribes diversify economies through tourism, natural resource management, and manufacturing
• Makah Tribe operates commercial fishing fleet and whale watching tours
• Colville Tribes manage timber resources and operate sawmill
• Tribal enterprises often prioritize job creation for tribal members

Contemporary Native rights issues

• Native communities continue to face challenges related to historical injustices
• Tribes assert rights to self-determination in various spheres of governance and culture

Environmental protection efforts

• Tribes advocate for protection of traditional lands and natural resources
• Lummi Nation opposes coal export terminal to protect fishing grounds
• Quinault Indian Nation leads efforts to address climate change impacts on coast
• Inter-tribal coalitions work to restore salmon habitats in Columbia River basin
• Traditional ecological knowledge increasingly recognized in environmental management

Cultural preservation programs

• Tribes establish museums and cultural centers to preserve artifacts and traditions
• Language immersion programs revitalize endangered Native languages
• Makah Cultural and Research Center preserves artifacts from Ozette archaeological site
• Squaxin Island Tribe hosts annual Canoe Journey celebrating traditional waterways
• Digital archives and oral history projects document tribal elders' knowledge

Education and language revitalization

• Tribes develop curriculum to teach Native history and culture in public schools
• Since Time Immemorial curriculum mandated in Washington K-12 education
• Tribal colleges offer higher education centered on Native perspectives
• Language nests and immersion schools preserve endangered Native languages
• Partnerships between tribes and universities support Native American studies programs

Native American influence today

• Native Americans continue to shape Washington's cultural, economic, and political landscape
• Growing recognition of tribal sovereignty and contributions to state's development

Contributions to state economy

• Tribal enterprises generate billions in economic activity annually
• Native-owned businesses contribute to local economies across the state
• Tribal casinos provide revenue sharing with state and local governments
• Tourism related to Native cultural sites and events boosts rural economies
• Tribal natural resource management supports sustainable industries (fisheries, forestry)

Political representation and advocacy

• Native Americans increasingly elected to state and local offices
• Debra Lekanoff became first Native American woman in Washington State Legislature (2019)
• Tribal leaders regularly testify on legislation affecting Native communities
• Inter-tribal organizations like Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission advocate for shared interests
• Native vote can be decisive in close elections especially in rural areas

Cultural impact on Washington identity

• Native art styles (totem poles, Coast Salish design) iconic to Pacific Northwest aesthetics
• Place names throughout state reflect Native languages and history
• Traditional foods (salmon, berries) central to regional cuisine
• Tribal museums and cultural centers educate public about Native heritage
• Annual events like Tribal Canoe Journey foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation