The Civil Rights Struggle of the Pacific Northwest—The Fish Wars
It was the struggle that pitted people steeped in their fishing traditions against the power of the state, helped launch national movements for Indigenous rights, and created one of the landmark rulings in Indigenous treaty law. Join me in exploring the Fish Wars of Washington and Oregon.
If you like my content and want to help the channel thrive, support me on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/indigenoushistorynow
Sources and suggested reading
An Uncommon Controversy: Fishing Rights of the Muckleshoot, Puyallup, and Nisqually Indians – American Friends Service Committee
The Fish-in Protests at Frank’s Landing – Gabriel Crisman: https://depts.washington.edu/civilr/fish-ins.htm
Commercial Fishing – Northwest Power and Conservation Council: https://www.nwcouncil.org/reports/columbia-river-history/commercialfishing/
The Displacement of the Nisqually Tribe – Katie Dotson: https://sites.evergreen.edu/basewatch/katie-dotson/
Back to the River video – Salmondefense: https://youtu.be/xzWfuWNuRT0
As Long as the Rivers Run video: https://youtu.be/lN46NWkEFow
Footage of the 10-13-1965 raid: https://youtu.be/nVt-DK0f2GI
My notes from college
Text of major court cases
US v Winans, 1905: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/198/371/
Tulee v WA, 1942: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/315/681/
Puyallup Tribe v Department of Game, 1968: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/391/392/
US v Oregon/Sohappy v Smith, 1969: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/302/899/2007176/
US v WA, 1974: https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/indianed/tribalsovereignty/high/ushighschool/ushighschoolunit1/level3-materials/boldt_decision.pdf
Tribal fisheries and conservation organizations
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission: https://nwifc.org
Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission: https://critfc.org
Link to PNW culture zone video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It4AiOLrQhs&t=2208s
Timestamps
00:00-2:21 Intro
2:21-10:57 An intro to treaties
10:57-14:46 The Northwest’s treaties
14:46-25:48 Salmon habitat and habitat loss
25:48-40:59 Regulation and discrimination
40:59-55:00 US v Winans
55:00-59:39 Tulee v WA
59:39-1:03:47 Nisqually land confiscation
1:03:47-1:21:16 The Fish Wars
1:21:16-1:24:53 Puyallup v Game and US v Oregon
1:24:53-1:40:52 The Boldt decision
1:40:52-1:48:56 Aftermath
Comments are closed.