Ernie Stevens: Tribute to late treaty rights advocate Billy Frank

In traditional Native American life, warriors were honored for the battles they served in, for protecting their people and for their courage. Billy Frank, Jr. did all of this and more. Once the war was waged and won, he became a diplomat for his people and brought the opposing parties together in an atmosphere of respect for one another, to learn from one another and to work together for the ultimate goal of protecting, restoring and preserving his people’s traditional way of life, living in harmony with nature.

As a member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe, Frank knew well the importance of the health of the waterways and tributaries that led to the health of their sustenance, which is salmon. He knew in his heart that the protection of this resource was a common bond that his nation and the State of Washington had in common. He knew that the struggle of governance and jurisdiction had to be settled in order for the teachings of his ancestors to be heard, recognized and honored.

Frank performed acts of notable courage in this battle. He attributed his passion to the traditional teachings he received from his father and grandfather. Because of his unwavering beliefs and his willingness to “take a stand,” he helped make it possible for federal, state and tribal governments to work together to protect the land, the waters and sustenance that comes from them for future generations. He knew there was a place and time when demonstrations and “testing the waters” quite literally were needed in order to be heard and for his sovereign tribal government to have equal standing with the other “sovereigns” identified in the U.S. Constitution. These were hard times and resulted in Frank being involved in altercations and disputes on numerous occasions—all to the end of raising awareness about the injustices faced by his tribe and his people. Indian country owes a debt to the Nisqually people and their government as a result. They waged the war and forged into territories unknown in Indian country.