165 



Mr. Faleomavaega. Let me offer this as a suggestion for the 

 tribal members of the organization. 



It would be very nice to have copies of the tapes be made to the 

 members of the subcommittee specifically, and maybe with just a 

 courtesy letter inviting the members on their own privacy and op- 

 portunity they might have, so they might see the videos that you 

 have indicated earlier. 



I think it'll be a real good orientation for the members of the sub- 

 committee if they are given copies of the videos. 



Mr. Anderson. We will do that. 



Thank you very much. 



Mr. Faleomavaega. Mr. Harp? 



STATEMENT OF JIM HARP 



Mr. Harp. Mr. Chairman, good morning. 



I'm pleased to appear before the Committee to express the views 

 of the Quinault Indigin Nation regarding concerns pertaining to the 

 management of fish, wildlife, and plants. 



I am Jim Harp, Fisheries Manager and an elected representative 

 of the Quinault Indian Nation up in the State of Washington, on 

 the coast of Washington. 



We at Quinault are encouraged that Congress is seeking tribal 

 views on how the United States could improve the administration 

 of its trust responsibilities towards Indian tribes. 



We are aware that the Senate Select Committee on Indian Af- 

 fairs has also initiated efforts to determine the necessity and scope 

 for legislative action concerning management of fish, wildlife, and 

 plant resources of concern to Indian tribes, and urge that the 

 House and Senate work in concert with Indian tribes to ultimately 

 develop legislation that can be enacted into law. 



I would like to premise our statement with a few remarks that 

 may help provide perspective and understanding of our views. 



Fish, wildlife, and plants have been central to our culture, econ- 

 omy and survival. Under the 1855 Treaty of Olympia, the United 

 States assumed a trust responsibility to protect our rights to hunt, 

 fish, and gather. 



Since then, time and again, Indian people have been jailed, 

 abused, and forced to the courts when attempting to exercise trea- 

 ty-protected rights. Only aft;er lengthy and costly litigation affirm- 

 ing our rights, has the United States been willing to provide finan- 

 cial resources for management of the resources which comprise our 

 heritage. 



In effect, the United States has historically taken the posture 

 that our treaties have no meaning unless and until the courts say 

 they do. 



We find such attitudes abominable. They have led to the deple- 

 tion of important resources, erosion of sovereignty, reduction in 

 management effectiveness, and diminishment of the legacy that we 

 leave our children. 



The government to government relationship between Indian 

 tribes and the United States which flows fi-om the Constitution, 

 treaties, and courses of dealings, must be strengthened and re- 

 spected. 



