Category: Preserving Culture

Association of Washington Tribes: Leadership, Advocacy and What’s Ahead

Posted on January 27, 2026 by - Building Community, Improving Lives, INTERNAL - Carousel, Preserving Culture, Protecting Resources

For the first time in its history, the Association of Washington Tribes (AWT) has a full-time Executive Director, demonstrating tribal leaders’ commitment to sustained and coordinated representation of tribes in Washington state.

Founded in 1998, the AWT has long served as a forum for tribes to advocate for tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. The organization advances the principles of the Centennial Accord, which established a formal government-to-government relationship between the State of Washington and federally recognized tribes.

AWT’s Executive Director is Patrick DePoe, a Makah tribal member with deep experience in tribal and state government. He previously served on the executive team at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and spent six years as an elected member of the Makah Tribal Council, where he led tribal coordination with state and federal agencies on climate resilience and habitat restoration.

In his new role, DePoe is focused on strengthening relationships between tribes and state leaders and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement around key issues.

“I’m focused on making conversations happen,” explains DePoe.
That approach was evident last December, when nearly 200 people attended a two-day AWT meeting that brought together tribal leaders, Washington state legislators, department directors, and many others to discuss tribal perspectives on priority areas, including natural resources, healthcare, social services and the state’s budget.

DePoe credits the strong turnout in large part to tribal leaders, particularly AWT Chair and Lummi Nation Tribal Chair, Tony Hillaire.

“Chairman Hillaire does an excellent job of speaking with tribal leaders across the state about the importance of tribes coming together,” says DePoe.

He is equally appreciative of AWT Vice Chair and Chair of the Tulalip Tribes, Teri Gobin.

“I am incredibly grateful to the Tulalip Tribes for hosting the AWT meeting for tribal leaders and legislators and to Chair Gobin for giving so much to support AWT’s next chapter,” he says.

The next AWT meeting will take place during the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Winter Convention in early February. DePoe also plans to convene another AWT meeting later this year and facilitate smaller discussions between tribal leaders and state elected officials.

Despite ongoing challenges, including state budget shortfalls and the federal government’s trust responsibilities, DePoe remains optimistic.
“Every one of our tribal nations has power, he says. “When we come together, there’s so much we can accomplish.”

7 Frequently Asked Questions About Tribal Sovereignty

Posted on December 26, 2025 by - INTERNAL - Carousel, Preserving Culture

tribal leaders holding hands in a circle with heads bowed, praying

Tribal sovereignty—you’ve probably heard the term, but what exactly does it mean?

In this FAQ, we draw from conversations with tribal leaders and other resources to define and understand the importance of sovereignty, treaties and trust responsibility.

1. What does tribal sovereignty mean?

Sovereignty is the authority of a nation to make its laws and be governed by them. As self-governing nations, tribes establish and operate under their own governmental systems, create their own laws, set citizenship criteria and operate law enforcement and judicial systems.

Tribal chairman Curt Holmes standing next to an ambulance with a Kalispel Tribal logo on it

Kalispel Tribe of Indians Vice Chairman Curt Holmes stands next to a Kalispel Tribal Public Safety Vehicle

2. How do tribal governments operate?

Like city, county, or state governments, tribal governments have elected officials who create and enforce laws. Tribal governments have departments that offer critical services like health care, education, infrastructure and economic development; steward tribal lands, natural resources and the environment; and maintain relationships with local, state, federal and other tribal governments.

Many tribal governments in Washington operate business enterprises ranging from casinos and hotels to construction and agriculture. These businesses generate revenue to pay for essential government services since tribes do not have the same tax resource source as other governments.

3. Did treaties grant tribes their sovereignty?

The notion that treaties granted Native Americans special rights is false. Tribes have always been sovereign nations. In fact, tribal governments are the oldest sovereign governments in North America. Long before Europeans arrived, the Western Hemisphere was highly populated with Native nations that engaged in trade and diplomacy and made agreements with one another. Indian treaties have the same status as treaties between foreign nations and take precedence over any conflicting state law.

4. Why did tribes sign treaties?

When non-Indian settlers came to the continent, they sought to take possession of the land that tribes had existed on since time immemorial. After years of fighting against occupation, many tribes in Washington and across the country signed treaties with the U.S. to protect their people and preserve their way of life. By signing these treaties, tribal nations gave up their traditional territories—land they had existed on since time immemorial—in exchange for a smaller piece of land, off-reservation fishing and hunting rights, and a legal obligation by the federal government to protect treaty rights, lands, assets, and resources, and insure the survival of Indian tribes. This obligation is known as a trust responsibility.

5. Are treaties still relevant today?

Yes. Treaties between tribes and the federal government are part of the U.S. Constitution, which recognizes that once a treaty is signed and ratified by the Senate, it becomes “the supreme law of the land”.

6. Has the U.S. always honored Indian treaties?

Historically, the federal government has failed to honor its treaties and fulfill its trust responsibilities with tribes. The 1800s marked the beginning of one and a half centuries of policies aimed at erasing indigenous people. They relocated tribes onto less valuable land, broke reservations into allotments, forced children into residential schools, and tried to wipe out tribal languages and traditions. These policies resulted in a significant decline in quality of life that, despite some improvement over the last three decades, persists today.

Man loading salmon into a crate on the bank of a river.

Billy Frank Jr., Nisqually tribal member and advocate for Indian treaty rights, led the tribal “fish wars” the 1960s and 1970s. His activism paved the way for the Boldt decision.

In the latter half of the 20th century, tribes began fighting back and reestablishing their standing as sovereign governments. Since the 1970s, tribes’ inherent powers of self-governance have been affirmed many times by Supreme Court decisions, presidential orders, and laws enacted by Congress.

The 1974 Boldt Decision, which recognized tribes’ right to fish on ancestral lands, was the beginning of a court mandate to the federal government to honor its treaty obligations. In 1987, the Supreme Court confirmed the sovereignty of tribal governments to establish and regulate gaming operations independent of state regulation. In Washington, tribal government gaming has become a lifeline for tribal economies. Today, tribal governments use revenue from gaming and other tribal enterprises to fund critical government services and improve lives across the state.

Scan of historical document that reads Treaty between the Uinted States of America and the Makah Tribe of Indians. January 31, 1855. Ratified April 18, 1859.

Photo credit: University of Washington Digital Collections.

7. Why is sovereignty so important to tribes?

Tribal self-determination, self-government and self-reliance change Indian lives for the better. Prior policies isolated Native people, stripped them of culture and language and restricted tribal revenue collection. Self-governance, however, puts decision-making in the right hands and results in business success, enhanced healthcare, better housing, more effective law enforcement, improved natural resource management and more.

 

Want to learn more? Check out the following resources:

What are Land Acknowledgements and How Do We Make Them Meaningful?

Posted on December 17, 2025 by - INTERNAL - Single Featured Post, Preserving Culture

Land acknowledgements have become increasingly common in recent years. As they become more common, so do questions about their purpose and usefulness. This FAQ explores land acknowledgements, concerns about the practice and ways to make them meaningful and respectful.

What is a land acknowledgement?

A land acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes Indigenous people as original stewards of the lands where an event or organization is located. You may have heard a land acknowledgement before a public meeting or performance or displayed on a website or publication. These statements typically name the tribes or nations who have lived on and cared for the land since time immemorial.

Are land acknowledgements a modern concept?

No. Land acknowledgments are a traditional custom that dates back centuries for many Native nations and communities.

The National Museum of the American Indian (NAMI) states on its website that, “Land acknowledgment is a traditional custom that dates back centuries for many Native nations and communities. For example, in Coast Salish communities along the Pacific Coast, another tribe or nation would ask permission to come ashore, thus acknowledging they were visitors to the lands.”

Tribal member announces arrival during Canoe Journey 2023.

What are some critiques about land acknowledgements?

According to the National Museum of the American Indian, “Acknowledging original Indigenous inhabitants is often complex because of the centuries of devastating displacement experienced by Native people through (broken) treaties, government policy, and relocation efforts.”

Many critiques of land acknowledgements center on the idea that if they are not linked to concrete action, they have little value, and can often do more harm than good.

In a 2024 Salish Current article, Mary Big Bull-Lewis, enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and chairwoman of the Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation, explained, “It has to be an actionable item. You’re recognizing that you’re on this land — so what are you doing? How are you creating a connection? How are you giving back?”

Questions like these highlight the importance of approaching land acknowledgements thoughtfully, respectfully and with a commitment to further action.

What is important to consider when crafting a land acknowledgement?

Land acknowledgments can be meaningful if they are constructed in a way that is respectful to the tribes that claim the land, accurately represents history and sets a path forward for rectifying the harm done to Native people.

You may find the following tips from the Native Governance Center helpful:

  • Start with self-reflection.Before starting work on your land acknowledgment statement, reflect on the process: Why am I doing this land acknowledgment? What is my end goal?
  • Do your homework. Take time to research the Indigenous people to whom the land belongs.
  • Use appropriate language. Don’t sugarcoat the history of how land was stolen by colonizers.
  • Use past, present, and future tenses.Indigenous people are still here, and they’re thriving.
  • Take action. Land acknowledgement is just the starting point.

Not sure how to begin? Start by reaching out to individual tribes in the area to understand their perspective on land acknowledgements. You can find a map of tribes in Washington on our website.

What are some examples of a land acknowledgement?

  • The Suquamish Tribe offers this approved statement for public use:

    We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is within the ancestral territory of the suq ̀ʷabš “People of Clear Salt Water” (Suquamish People). Expert fisherman, canoe builders and basket weavers, the suq ̀ʷabš live in harmony with the lands and waterways along Washington’s Central Salish Sea as they have for thousands of years. Here, the suq ̀ʷabš live and protect the land and waters of their ancestors for future generations as promised by the Point Elliot Treaty of 1855.
  • Squaxin Island Tribe Council Chairman Kris Peters endorsed the following land acknowledgement for the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges:

    As a step toward honoring truth and achieving healing and reconciliation, we open today by acknowledging the traditional territories of the Squaxin Island Tribe of the South Puget Sound.    The people of the Squaxin Island Tribe lived and prospered along the shores of the southernmost inlets of the Salish Sea for untold centuries. We acknowledge throughout time immemorial, the people of the Squaxin Island Tribe’s strong cultural connection with water, and traditionally known as the People of the Water. Today, we honor the descendants of the Squaxin Island Tribe, the People of the Water, on which Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges office resides.While our colleges are distributed across many first people’s nations, we remain dedicated to opening our time together by honoring those that came before us.

    We know that such statements only become truly meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and sustained commitment, and as such, we commit to continued efforts to build our collective understanding and action to foster authentic Tribal community connections.

  • North Thurston Public Schools in Washington uses the following land acknowledgement at school board meetings, assemblies, and public events:We acknowledge that North Thurston Public Schools resides on the traditional lands of the Nisqually people. The Nisqually have lived on and cared for this land and these waterways since time immemorial. We make this acknowledgment to open a space of recognition, inclusion, and respect for our sovereign tribal partners and all indigenous students, families, and staff in our community.On the NTPS website, this acknowledgement is accompanied by note that the statement was developed in partnership with the Nisqually Tribe and is one of many ways NTPS partners with area tribes. Other partnerships include the Native Student Program and government-to-government partnership with the Nisqually Tribe.

Summer Travel with a Tribal Focus

Posted on June 3, 2025 by - Preserving Culture

Summer travel season is almost here! Whether you’re planning a day trip or a week-long adventure, tribes across the state have incredible experiences to offer. Here are just a few of the many outstanding tribal tourist destinations in Washington state:

Lummi Stommish Water Festival
Kick off your summer with the Lummi Stommish Water Festival, an annual festival honoring military veterans (Stommish is the Halkomelem word for ‘warrior’). Hosted by the Lummi Nation each June, this four-day event features canoe races, a carnival, 3-on-3 basketball, a Sla-Hal stick game tournament, and more. Stay overnight at the Silver Reef Hotel, Casino & Spa or pull up to camp at the Stommish Grounds.

Makah Days
Journey out to Neah Bay in August for Makah Days, the Makah Tribe’s annual celebration of thousands of years of Makah culture. The three-day festival includes events for all ages and interests, from fireworks, traditional dancing and salmon bakes to the Bahokus Peak Challenge—a 3-mile uphill race with an elevation gain of nearly 1,400 feet.

Can’t make it in August? The Makah Museum is open 7 days a week and is full of artifacts and exhibits about the rich maritime heritage of the Makah people; or take the Cape Flattery Trail to visit the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States. You’ll find spectacular views and a chance to spot gray whales.

Makah Tribal Marina

Outdoor Concerts at Northern Quest Resort & Casino
The Kalispel Tribe of Indians’ Northern Quest Casino is home to Spokane’s premier outdoor concert venue and one of the hottest music lineups in Eastern Washington! From Donny Osmond to The Smashing Pumpkins, you won’t go wrong adding a Northern Quest concert to your summer plans. While you’re there, take some “me” time at La Rive Spa or play a round at the Kalispel Golf and Country Club.

Preserving Culture Through Tribal Language Programs

Posted on May 22, 2025 by - Preserving Culture

Native American culture has flourished in Washington state for thousands of years. Tribes in Washington are working to ensure native culture continues to be an integral part of our regional identity. One way Tribes are accomplishing this is through tribal language programs. Language is at the heart of tribal identity. It is the foundation of religious and ceremonial practices and cultural heritage, and it’s an irreplaceable part of Tribes’ self-preservation, self-determination, and sovereignty.

Here are a few of the many programs across the state that are preserving and revitalizing tribal languages and dialects:

Puyallup Tribal Language Program
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ Tribal Language Program was created to revitalize the Twulshootseed language by incorporating it into daily conversation. The program cultivates Twulshootseed language usage in school—it’s taught in the K-12 Chief Leschi School, at the University of Washington, and online—as well as at home, at work, in social settings, and through media and storytelling. Learn more on the program’s website, explore their youtube channel, or find them on social media.

Kalispel Language Program
The Kalispel Tribe of Indians developed the Kalispel Language Program to reclaim and preserve their Salish language and create a new generation of native language speakers. The program includes a curriculum that spans all age groups, learning materials like workbooks, songbooks, language software, and the Kalispel Language Immersion School for grades K-5. Salish is also taught to Junior High and High School students in the area. Learn more on the program’s website.

Kalispel Language Program founder and Language Director JR Bluff with a Kalispel Language Immersion School student.

Cowlitz Coast Salish Language Revitalization
In 2020, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe launched a partnership with The Language Conservancy to revitalize the use of the Cowlitz Coast Salish Language, which had been extinct for nearly 50 years. After reconstructing the language from old documents and recordings, the Tribe has developed a collection of learning tools, including an alphabet book, two picture books, an online dictionary, and a “Cowlitz Vocab Builder” app. Learn more on the Tribe’s website or in this recent article in Big Country News.

What Are Camas Lilies and Why Are They Important to Tribes?

Posted on May 22, 2025 by - Preserving Culture, Protecting Resources

Every spring, fields across the Pacific Northwest erupt in swaths of violet-blue as camas flowers bloom. These wildflowers are integral to the cultural, spiritual and culinary traditions of many tribes in Washington. Read the frequently asked questions below to learn about this important First Food.

Camas FlowerQ: What is camas?
A: Camas are wildflowers, part of the lily family, with blue-purple petals that grows in open meadows and prairies across the Pacific Northwest. You’ll usually see camas flowers in full bloom by late spring, turning whole fields into a sea of color. The plant’s starchy bulbs look like a cross between a garlic clove and a small potato. They are a good source of fiber and contain inulin, which can help control blood sugar. Camas is typically harvested between April and June when the flowers or dried petals are visible.

Q: Why is camas important to tribes?
A: Camas has long been a culturally and economically important resource for many tribes in the Pacific Northwest. It has been harvested, traded and used in traditional ceremonies for generations. Its spring bloom was known as a marker of changing seasons.

Though camas may not be a daily staple today, it remains deeply meaningful. It connects people to the land, their ancestors and the seasons. Today, tribes are restoring camas meadows, protecting harvesting areas and teaching traditional digging and cooking techniques to the next generation as part of a broader revitalization of traditional food and cultural practices.

Q: How is camas harvested and prepared?
A: Camas is dug in the spring, when its petals are visible (important for avoiding its toxic lookalike, death camas). Harvesters use traditional t-shaped digging sticks to lift the bulbs from the soil while protecting the meadow. The bulbs can be boiled, baked or slow-roasted. If only cooked for a short time, camas isn’t particularly flavorful, but when roasted over a longer period, it darkens and sweetens. Traditionally, camas roots were slow-cooked in underground ovens for 2-3 days. Today, a slow cooker is a more common cooking method.

Want to learn more about camas? Check out the following resources:

Washington Tribes Are Reviving First Food Traditions

Posted on September 22, 2024 by - Preserving Culture, Protecting Resources

Smoking salmon

What do salmon, camas, clams, and nettles have in common? They’re all Indigenous First Foods—part of a complex diet of natural resources that tribes have relied on since time immemorial. Traditional First Foods for tribes in what is now Washington state include berries, plants, roots, salmon, shellfish and wild game.

First Foods are more than just nourishment—they are vital to the cultural identity of Native tribes. They represent a deep connection with the land and a way of life that values respect and balance with nature. The right to hunt, gather and fish traditional foods is also fundamental to tribal sovereignty and guaranteed through tribal treaties.

Thimbleberry (ɫəɫaq in the Twulshootseed language)

Today, many tribes are working hard to revive Indigenous food traditions disrupted by colonization and industrialization. From clam gardens to camas harvests, tribes across the state are promoting health and sustainability, preserving culture and exercising their sovereignty through traditional food programs.

As part of this movement, Indigenous communities are sharing First Foods recipes, inviting others to experience these traditional flavors and learn about the deep cultural connections behind them.

Here’s a recipe to try at home!

You can find this recipe and a wealth of information about traditional foods and medicines on the Squaxin Island Tribe’s Salish Roots Farm Food Sovereignty Program Facebook page.