Fish Wars facts for kids

The Fish Wars were a series of protests in the 1960s and 1970s. During this time, Native American tribes around the Puget Sound in Washington state fought for their fishing rights. They wanted the U.S. government to honor promises made in old agreements, like the Treaty of Medicine Creek.

These protests were called "fish-ins." They started in 1963 in the Pacific Northwest. The protests grew and attracted famous people and national news. Eventually, the U.S. government took legal action against the state of Washington. A big court decision in 1974, known as United States v. Washington, supported the tribes. The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed this decision in 1979.

Why Did the Fish Wars Happen?

Early Treaties and Promises

In 1855, the government of Washington signed several treaties with local Native American tribes. These agreements asked tribes to move to special areas called reservations.

For example, the Point No Point Treaty meant tribes on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas gave up most of their land. But they kept their rights to fish in their traditional areas. Some tribes did not want to lose their farms. This led to some small conflicts. For many years, these treaties were often forgotten or ignored.

Frank's Landing and Billy Frank Jr.

In 1916, the city of Tacoma gave land to the United States Army to build Fort Lewis. A large part of this land came from the Nisqually reservation. This included miles of the Nisqually River.

To protect his family's fishing spots, a Nisqually resident named Willy Frank Sr. bought a small piece of land on the Nisqually River. This place became known as "Frank's Landing."

In 1937, a federal court said the state of Washington should not stop Native Americans from fishing. But this decision was not enforced. Local police kept stopping Native fishermen and giving them tickets or arresting them.

In 1945, Willy Frank's 14-year-old son, Billy Frank, Jr., was arrested for fishing with a net. This was the first of many times Billy Frank Jr. would face state authorities. He became a very important leader in the fight for fishing rights.

In 1957, the Washington Supreme Court was divided on a case involving Robert Satiacum. He was a Puyallup and Yakima man arrested for fishing steelhead out of season. Even though a treaty guaranteed Native people the right to fish in their traditional ways, their rights were not being protected.

How the Protests Began

The "Fish-Ins" Start

Some Native fishermen refused to get licenses or follow state fishing rules. They set up camps along the shore. The state saw this as illegal, but the tribes believed it was allowed by federal law and the Treaty of Medicine Creek.

In 1963, the first "fish-in" protest happened at Frank's Landing. By the late 1960s, Frank's Landing, now owned by Billy Frank, Jr., became a safe place for these "fish-ins." Even after many arrests, fishermen would return to their fishing grounds. They allowed themselves to be arrested again to show they were standing up for their treaty rights. These fish-ins spread across Washington and Oregon.

National Attention and Support

By 1964, the fight for fishing rights started getting attention across the country. Several famous people supported the cause. These included actor Marlon Brando, singer Buffy Sainte-Marie, and comedian Dick Gregory. Marlon Brando was arrested in March 1964 for taking two steelhead trout during a protest with the Puyallup tribe.

Other Native American groups also joined the movement. These included the National Indian Youth Council and Hank Adams from the Quinault Reservation.

Tensions Rise

Not all of the protests were completely peaceful. In September 1970, Puyallup fishermen on boats challenged police. They fired warning shots when officials came near their nets. One protest leader said they had to fight for their survival. A protester even threw a fire bomb onto a bridge to slow down officials. But police eventually raided the boats and camps. They used tear gas and clubs to break up the protest.

Finally, the U.S. federal government stepped in. It sued the state of Washington. The government argued that Washington was not upholding its treaty agreements.

The Boldt Decision

In 1974, U.S. District Court Judge George Hugo Boldt made an important ruling in the case of United States v. Washington. This decision is often called the Boldt Decision.

Judge Boldt said that Native American fishermen with treaty rights must be allowed to catch up to 50% of all fish. He also said they should have an equal say in how fishing is managed. He explained that no court decision or law had taken away the rights preserved for Native tribes in their treaties. He stated that when Native people signed the Camp Stevens treaty of 1855, they were not gaining a new right. Instead, they were agreeing to share their resources.

The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed the Boldt Decision in 1979. This decision has been used as an example for other similar treaties.

What Happened Next?

In 1976, tensions rose again when wildlife officials closed some fishing areas. They said this was to help the salmon population grow back. But some tribal members felt these rules were meant to help non-Native fishermen. They refused to follow the new laws. This led to some small protests.

However, by the mid-1980s, different tribes started working together more. This led to a stronger, united voice in managing fisheries, based on the Boldt Decision. This cooperation largely ended the violence, though legal discussions still happen.

The "fish-ins" became important gathering places for Native American activists. Many people involved in these protests later helped start the Red Power movement. This movement led to the creation of the American Indian Movement in 1968 and the occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969.

Images for kids

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  Washington Territory, 1879; Nisqually reservation is shaded area on upper right