Ramona Bennett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ramona Bennett
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Bennett speaks at a Rally for Leonard Peltier & Mother Earth in 2013
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| Born | August 28, 1938 |
| Nationality | Puyallup; American |
| Alma mater | Evergreen State College University of Puget Sound |
| Known for | Native American activism |
Ramona Bennett (born August 23, 1938) is an important Puyallup leader and activist from the United States. She played a big part in the "Fish Wars" of the 1960s and 1970s in the Pacific Northwest. These events were all about protecting the rights of Native American tribes to govern themselves.
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Early Life and Education
Ramona Bennett was born in Seattle, Washington. Her family also has roots in the Swinomish and Yakima tribes. When she was young, her family moved to Bremerton, Washington. Her father worked there in naval shipyards.
Even though her father was not Native American, her mother made sure Ramona learned about and was proud of her Indigenous heritage. This strong connection to her culture shaped Ramona's life.
Ramona went to college and earned two degrees. She got a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Evergreen State College. Later, she earned a master's degree in education from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma.
Fighting for Native Rights
Ramona Bennett started working at the Seattle Indian Center in the early 1960s. She quickly became involved in many community programs. One of these was the American Indian Women's Service League.
She became even more active by working with other leaders. One such leader was Bernie Whitebear, who helped claim the Fort Lawton site. This site later became the Daybreak Star Cultural Center.
Joining the Tribal Council
In 1968, Ramona was elected to the Puyallup tribal council. She wanted to help her community with important issues. These included finding better housing, education, and health care on the Puyallup reservation.
The Fish Wars
The Puyallup people had a right to fish from the Puyallup River. This right was protected by the Treaty of Point Elliott from 1855. However, they faced strong opposition when they tried to fish. Other fishers, environmental groups, and local police tried to stop them. The treaty said Native people could still use their "usual and accustomed places" for fishing.
In 1964, Ramona Bennett helped start the Survival of American Indians Association. She worked closely with other activists like Hank Adams. They developed plans to protect fishing rights and other Native American treaty rights. They even found a safe place for fishers in a local church.
Ramona's work was similar to that of other Indigenous fishing rights activists. One example is Billy Frank Jr. from the Nisqually tribe. She also learned from other movements, like the Civil Rights movement. She visited the Alcatraz occupation to see how activists were reclaiming land.
Ramona also sold salmon caught by her tribe to support the Survival of American Indians Association. Famous people like Marlon Brando, Dick Gregory, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Jane Fonda also supported these causes.
Protecting the Camp
In 1970, Ramona and other Puyallup people set up a camp. They called it "the ceremonial place." They protected this camp, even using firearms. State and federal police attacked the camp. Nearly 60 people were hurt and arrested. Ramona herself was hit by a gas canister.
Becoming Tribal Chairwoman
Ramona was elected tribal chairwoman in 1976. She recalled that when she went to a meeting of the National Tribal Chairman's Association, she was almost not allowed in because she was a woman. She insisted on her right to be there.
As chairwoman, she immediately started working to protect Native American children. She believed that children adopted outside their community were "an endangered resource." Her ideas helped lead to the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978. This law helps keep Native American children connected to their tribes.
Ramona also helped organize a week-long protest at Cushman Hospital in 1976. This hospital was on land that had been taken from the Puyallup people.
Boldt Decision
In 1974, a major court ruling called the Boldt decision confirmed Native Americans' treaty rights. It stated that Native Americans in Washington had a right to half of the fish caught.
Later Work and Recognition
After her time as Tribal Chairperson, Ramona Bennett continued to help her community. She worked at the Wa-He-Lut Indian School in Olympia. She also worked with Rainbow Youth and Family Services in 1989. She once said that "virtually everything constructive I've done has been because children might need it."
In 2003, Ramona Bennett received two special awards. She was honored by the Native Action Network. That same year, she also received the Enduring Spirit recognition from the American Native Women's Leadership Development Forum.
