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Testimony of the NWIFC February 18, 1993 



on Fish & Wildlife Management Page 3 



constitutional guarantee of sovereign status and a trust relationship with the United 

 States government. Much of the land that was left to us was considered useless by 

 the non-Indians. And, as far as its ability to sustain us, the non-Indians were often 

 correct. At the time of Columbus' voyages, more than 14 million people lived in the 

 48-state area. By the early 1800's, less than a half million Indian people still existed. 



Our culture and way of life was shattered 



Of the 800 treaties established between the U.S. and the tribes, 370 were ratified by 

 the U.S. Senate. Tribes whose treaties were not ratified did not receive their lands 

 back. They were not permitted easy access to fish and game. They were, in fact, left 

 to die. Others, like our member tribes, who signed treaties during 1854-55, also felt 

 the cold hand of oppression. Our cultural ceremonies were banned. Our children 

 were taken from us and placed in government schools and forbidden to speak the 

 native language. Our young were introduced to a multitude of diseases and corrupt 

 bureaucracy. In little more than a century, the proud, culturally rich indigenous 

 people of this continent were interjected into our own "Dark Age". 



Tribal self-determination to reclaim treaty protected rights 



Nevertheless, we survived! We never forgot our heritage. From one generation to 

 the next, our descendants somehow taught us what they had been taught. In my 

 case, my father taught me to fish and to survive on the river. He taught me 

 appreciation for nature, and he taught me the value of family. He died in 1984, at 

 the age of 103. And now it is my turn to teach my sons, and to do what I can to 

 leave them a better world to live in. 



In the 1960's and 70's, we Indians began to assert ourselves. We began to stand up 

 for guaranteed rights that had long been denied us. First through demonstration, 

 then through litigation, we fought for our rights, and we won. 



LEGAL BACKGROUND OF TRIBAL NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN 

 THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST 



As mentioned earlier, in the 1850's, the United States entered into treaties with the 

 Indian tribes located in Washington Territory as part of the settlement of the West. 

 In those treaties, negotiated with Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens, the Indians 

 traded their interest in land of the territory for the exclusive use of lands within 

 reservations, the right of continued fishing and hunting, and other guarantees. 



Tribes traded interest in territory for reservations and natural resource rights 



Provisions of the Stevens Treaties guaranteeing the tribes reserved rights to fish 

 and wildlife were soon forgotten. State government and laws evolved to the point 



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