153 



Testimony of the NWIFC February 18, 1993 



on Fish & Wildlife Management Page 2 



HISTORY OF TRIBAL NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE PACIFIC 

 NORTHWEST 



Just as the Constitution formed by the United States in the late 1700's derived much 

 of its roots from Indian tradition, so today do we continue to contribute to the good 

 of this country. Nowhere is this more the case than in the Pacific Northwest, where 

 the tribes have joined efforts with the state, as well as the federal government, to 

 cooperate in managing natural resources upon which we all depend. 



Cultural perspectives of the Indian tribes are unique 



You have no doubt heard many things about the natural resources of the Pacific 

 Northwest lately. You have heard of controversy between environmentalists and the 

 timber industry, as well as between fishermen and the power companies, irrigators 

 and many others. 



As you continue to hear these cries, we ask you to remember the Indian. The tribes 

 have lived along all the rivers and waterways of the Pacific Northwest for thousands 

 of years. Through the millenniums, we have shaped our existence around the fish, 

 the trees and all other natural resources provided to sustain us. The meat kept us 

 healthy, as did the spiritual and cultural strength we derived from these resources. 

 Our tribal customs and ceremonies have always reflected harmony with nature, 

 kinship with her elements and deeply felt gratitude for the gifts provided by Mother 

 Earth. 



Throughout history, tribes practiced fisheries management 



Fisheries management is not a new thing to the tribes. We have managed fish from 

 time immemorial. We have practiced conservation through the management of 

 fishing efforts, as well as total utilization of harvested resources. We have provided 

 for escapement of fish to the spawning grounds, and even used certain 

 enhancement techniques long before non-Indians ever set foot on this land. 



When non-Indians did come, they learned how to survive from the tribes. But it 

 wasn't long before they were claiming resources and lands for their own purposes, 

 at the expense of the Indian people. Not long after that, the white society set about 

 making treaties with the tribes, and herding tribal members onto small remnants of 

 Indian land. 



Treaties signed but promises broken 



Approximately 800 treaties were signed with the tribes in the 48 states. With each 

 we gave up more and more land and more and more resources. But each also 

 represented retention of certain lands, and retention of resource harvest rights for as 

 long as the grasses would grow and the rivers would run. With each also came a 



