Salmon warrior, brave beyond measure, a giant, a legend – these are the words being used to describe Billy Frank Jr., who died Monday, May 5 at his home in Thurston County. He was 83, a Nisqually elder who dedicated his life to protecting tribal sovereignty and fishing treaty rights around Puget Sound. Up until the time of his death Frank served as chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, which serves the 20 Western Washington treaty tribes with a central office in Olympia and satellite offices in Mount Vernon and Forks. He held this post for 30 years following the 1974 federal Boldt Decision that outlined tribal rights to half of the harvestable salmon in Puget Sound. He held a full schedule of meetings last week, making his death a shock to his family and friends.
Puyallup Tribal Council Vice-Chairman Bill Sterud called Frank “a legend in our time.” National news broadcasts, like ABC News and NBC News, included stories on his passing. Newspapers here in our state and in places across the country announced his death. The news even reached the White House, prompting a statement from Pres. Barack Obama:
“I was saddened to learn of the passing of Billy Frank, Jr. – Chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and a member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe. Billy fought for treaty rights to fish the waters of the Pacific Northwest, a battle he finally won in 1974 after being arrested many times during tribal ‘fish-ins.’ Today, thanks to his courage and determined effort, our resources are better protected, and more tribes are able to enjoy the rights preserved for them more than a century ago. Billy never stopped fighting to make sure future generations would be able to enjoy the outdoors as he did, and his passion on the issue of climate change should serve as an inspiration to us all. I extend my deepest sympathies to the Nisqually Indian Tribe, and to Billy’s family, and to his many friends who so greatly admired him.”
On the day of Billy Frank Jr.’s death, press statements were sent out throughout the day from Olympia to Washington, D.C.
"Washington lost a true legend with the passing of Billy Frank Jr. today,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. "He was a selfless leader who dedicated his life to the long fight for the rights of our state's native people. Billy was a champion of tribal rights, of the salmon, and the environment. He did that even when it meant putting himself in physical danger or facing jail.
"I'm thankful Billy was here to see the 2014 Legislature pass a bill helping to overturn convictions from treaty protests. Billy was right on this issue and the state owed this gesture of justice to him and others who jeopardized their liberty to fight for treaty rights.
"Billy never wavered in his conviction and passion. He stressed to me the spiritual and cultural relationship that indigenous people have with salmon. His work is the foundation of an enduring legacy that will never be forgotten in Washington State. He once said, 'The Creator put that salmon there for it to survive.' I thank the Creator for putting Billy here to make sure we never forget what he fought for.
"Trudi and I send our condolences to Billy's family, friends, tribal members and everyone across the state and the country who mourns the passing of this great man."
Gina McCarthy, administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, had this to say: “With his passing, America has lost one its greatest voices for justice. Billy has been a close friend and partner to the Environmental Protection Agency over the past four decades, as a member of the Nisqually people, founder of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, and one of the most forward thinking environmental leaders of our time. His ability to bring together leaders from all sectors to further the protection of critical natural resources resulted in a resurgence of momentum on natural resource conversation, cultural preservation, the protection of fish, treaty rights, and climate change. Through his tireless efforts, as a passionate voice for the protection of our air, water, and land, EPA’s own tribal efforts were strongly influenced in the early 1990s as we created an office to more directly address Tribal issues across the country. We will, in that spirit, continue working to strengthen our government-to-government relationship and partnership with tribal citizens.”
“Billy was a true statesman who brought an optimistic, can-do approach to environmental and natural resource challenges,” said State Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “His activism and perseverance helped build the foundation of an enduring legacy that Washington State will never forget. More than four decades ago, Billy was a tribal fisherman who began fighting for American Indian fishing rights. He remained a zealous champion of tribal rights, salmon and the environment the rest of his life.”
“Billy Frank Jr. leaves a legacy of a great representative of Native tribes and nations, as well as an exemplary leader for sovereignty, justice and a stronger democracy,” said Institute for Community Leadership Director Roy D. Wilson. “Humanity is more advanced because Billy Frank Jr. contributed his mind, body and spirit to the cause of living better on the planet.”
Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy said: “We have lost a national treasure in Billy Frank Jr. His advocacy regarding fishing and natural resources was second to none. His legacy includes influencing public policy to protect our precious natural resources that make this such an amazing place to live. John and I send our thoughts and prayers to Billy’s family.”
A LIFETIME OF ACTIVISM
Billy Frank Jr. was born March 9, 1931 to Willie and Angeline Frank, and dedicated his life, after a stint in the Marine Corps, to preserving tribal fishing rights and fisheries management. He is particularly credited for promoting cooperative management of natural resources by including state agencies that had once challenged tribal rights. Arrested for the first time when he was just 14 years old for fishing near his home, over the following years Frank would be arrested more than 50 times during the “fishing wars” of the 1960s and 1970s, as tribes clashed with state agencies over their treaty rights with the federal government created in the 1850s.
Frank’s Landing, his home on the Nisqually River, became a central focal point and force for Native people fighting to win back their rights to their culture, which is embodied in the sacred salmon. Federal recognition wasn’t enough to uphold tribal rights, however, since the State of Washington routinely disregarded the 1854 Treaty of Medicine Creek and forbid Native Americans to fish in their “usual and accustomed fishing places” under the idea that the state could impose fishing regulations on reservation land and on tribal fishing grounds. That stance clashed with the federal treaties and sent the matter to court that now operates on the current 50-50 rule.
While being seen as a champion of fishing rights, Frank had the ability to articulate that fishing rights of Native Americans are a civil rights issue in much the same way Cesar Chavez championed the rights of farm workers, according to noted Tacoma historian Michael Sullivan.
“I always associate him with being a civil rights leader,” Sullivan said, adding that Frank amplified the cultural role of salmon and nature in Native American tribes the way few other people could. “Salmon was never just a food stuff or a way to get protein (for tribal members). We just can’t grasp how important it is.”
Frank's leadership following the Boldt Decision gathered tribal and state agencies to better study and manage fishery resources after decades of disjointed regulations and little scientific oversight. Following the Boldt Decision, Northwest tribes became co-managers of the fish resource, and Frank’s advocacy led to sweeping changes in fish management in Washington state. He became a head of state, and held audience with presidents and world leaders who listened to what this brilliant, humble man had to say. He was equally engaged in improving water quality and restoring natural habitats to help salmon and other fish survive and prosper.
“It completely changed how things were done,” Sullivan said. “It really reset the game.”
Thankfully, Frank lived long enough to celebrate the 40th anniversary celebration of the Boldt Decision this past February.
Former Tacoma Mayor Karen Vialle was working in the state budget office following the Boldt Decision and worked with Frank in the early days following the decision. Vialle would continue to work with him on various issues while she served on the Tacoma City Council and then as Tacoma’s mayor in the early 1990s.
“His ability to bring people together was just amazing,” she said of her personal friend. “He is one of my heroes, personally. He really was.”
A public memorial service for Billy Frank Jr. will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 11 at the Squaxin Island Event Center next to the Little Creek Casino, W. 91 State Route 108.