DIRECTOR’S LETTER .............................
THE PASSING OF BILLY FRANK JR. BY KEVIN GOVER B
illy Frank, Jr. used to call himself the “Go-To-Jail Guy.” He earned the name. He was brave, a champi- on for Native Nations’ sovereignty, a star in Indian Country and hero
for our future generations. Between 1945 and 1970, Billy went to jail more than fifty times. Why? Because he was fishing at a place called “Frank’s Landing,” where he and the Nisqually Indian Nation were guaranteed the right to fish forever by a treaty made with the United States in the mid-19th century. To his non- Indian adversaries like the Washington State Sportsman’s Council, and the State Depart- ment of Fisheries, he was demanding special privileges and illegally poaching. Little did they know that in the year 2014, upon learn- ing of Billy’s death, the President of the United States would call his actions courageous, pas- sionate and “an inspiration to us all.” Even though Billy fought tirelessly for his
people, his friends and family, and his tradi- tions, he was always open to negotiation. Above all, he was open to negotiation among Native Nations and state and federal govern- ments to protect the salmon and their habitat vital to the Nisqually not only nutritionally and financially, but also spiritually. Billy helped establish the Survival of American Indians Association (1964) and, later, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (1974), each an effort to foster cooperation. Although the Native Nations and the State of Washington found negotiation very difficult and endured countless setbacks, Billy never gave up and always believed that a good relationship was possible. A true government-to-government relationship formed with the shared objective of preserving the salmon was more important to Billy than a victory in court. Billy knew the salmon could only be truly protected when all sides came together in agreement. In 1974, Billy won his greatest victory in
the form of the Boldt decision, so named for U.S. District Court Judge George Hugo Boldt, who ruled in favor of the Native Nations: “The mere passage of time has not eroded, and cannot erode, the rights guaranteed by solemn treaties.” It was one of the most sig-
Billy Frank Jr., fishing the Nisqually River, 1973.
nificant rulings on treaty rights in the 20th century. Former Washington Congressman Lloyd Meeds wrote, “The fishing issue was to Washington State what busing was to the East.” Billy said of Judge Boldt, “That judge listened to all of us. He let us tell our stories, right there in federal court. He made a deci- sion, he interpreted the treaty, and he gave us a tool to help save the salmon.” Native Nations throughout the U.S. began
to follow Billy’s lead and hold their own “fish- ins” to assert rights promised in treaties but suppressed by the states. The result was not only cooperation among the Native Nations
but joint regulatory programs with state and federal agencies to protect and restore the pre- cious natural resources so many depend upon. Billy was a humanitarian, a steadfast
protector of the land, and a brave and kind warrior. He was a cherished friend to many of us in Indian Country and throughout our na- tion and the world. While our hearts ache for our loss, his memory will continue to inspire those who believe deeply in the sacred nature of our relationship with Mother Earth and all of her creatures. X
Kevin Gover (Pawnee) is the director of the National Museum of the American Indian.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 13
PHOTO BY TOM THOMPSON, COURTESY OF THE NORTHWEST INDIAN FISHERIES COMMISSION
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