For our people, the land, water, and our health have always been connected. Long before statehood, our Nations cared for salmon, forests, and shorelines through teachings passed down over generations.
Treaties didn’t give us these responsibilities — they recognized them. And we know how often those promises were broken, as rivers were dammed, habitat destroyed, and salmon runs pushed to the edge.
The Boldt Decision in 1974 reaffirmed what our ancestors had always known: our right to fish at our usual and accustomed places, on and off reservation, and our role as co-managers of the resource. That victory came through years of resistance and sacrifice.
Billy Frank Jr. Day, celebrated each year on his birthday (March 9), commemorates his life and leadership in fostering a relationship between state and Tribal governments that recognizes the importance of salmon stewardship and habitat restoration. He made clear that treaty rights cannot exist without healthy water and salmon. As he reminded us, “Treaties are not a special privilege. They are a solemn promise.”
Positive outcomes
An excellent example of resilience and ecological recovery is the Elwha River restoration. Two dams (Elwha Dam and Glines Canyon Dam) blocked salmon access to over 90 percent of the river for more than a century. After removal (2011–2014), salmon returns increased dramatically. In 2022, almost 7,000 coho salmon returned to the Elwha River, and roughly 36 percent of those were naturally spawning fish (not from hatcheries). Also in 2022, about 4,000 adult Chinook returned — one of the highest counts since dam removal.
The Swinomish clam garden restoration stands as another powerful example of Tribal resilience and environmental stewardship in action. Reviving this ancient mariculture practice reflects a deep understanding that Indigenous science has always been rooted in sustainability and balance with the natural world.
By rebuilding and tending these rock terraces in the tide flats, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is:
- Restoring habitat.
- Increasing clam abundance.
- Reclaiming ancestral knowledge that supports food sovereignty and climate adaptation.
This living classroom demonstrates how traditional ecological practices can address modern challenges like ocean acidification and sea level rise, while strengthening community connections to place, culture, and one another. The project embodies a holistic approach to restoration, where caring for the land and water goes hand in hand with cultural renewal and intergenerational learning.
Letting Tribes lead the way
Organizations like the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and Tribes work with state agencies like Department of Ecology, Department of Natural Resources, and local governments to restore habitat, monitor fish returns, and plan adaptation. These efforts make clear that ecological health and public health go together. Clean water, returning fish runs, and healthy forests all contribute to physical, mental, and cultural well-being.
Each March, as we observe Billy Frank Jr. Day, we honor not only his leadership but the responsibility he carried for all of us. When treaty promises are honored, the land responds. We see it in the return of salmon to the Elwha River and in the revival of Swinomish clam gardens — living examples of sovereignty, resilience, and culture in action.
Photo credit: Billy Frank Jr., Creative Commons: This is Indian Country