NWIFC Chairman Ed Johnstone is interviewed during a two-day commemoration of US v. WA at the Muckleshoot Events Center. Photo: Tiffany Royal
Feb. 12, 2024, marked the 50th anniversary of the Boldt decision in U.S. v. Washington, which reaffirmed tribal treaty fishing rights and recognized the tribes’ role as co-managers of fisheries. Last week, the treaty tribes commemorated the anniversary with an event to remember, learn and mark the importance of the pivotal 1974 court decision.
Below is a selection of media coverage of the 50th anniversary of US v. WA.
More event info: nwtreatytribes.org/usvwa.
Seattle Times
“The Fish Wars: a timeline of the origins and effects of the Boldt Decision”
“How the Boldt Decision remade Pacific Northwest Fishing”
“The Boldt Decision’s Enduring Legacy 50 Years On”
“Treaty Justice Revisits the Boldt Decision and its Far-Reaching Impacts”
Video: “The Right to Fish, Boldt Decision and WA salmon recovery”
Salish Current
“The Boldt Decision 50 years on — much done, much to do”
“50 years after Boldt Decision: new and lingering challenges to salmon recovery”
Cascadia Daily News
“Salmon management 50 years after the Boldt Decision focuses on survival”
Skagit Valley Herald
“Effects of Boldt Decision felt 50 years later”
The JOLT
“Boldt Decision, 50 years” (part 1)
“Boldt Decision, 50 years” (part 2)
“Boldt Decision, 50 years” (part 3)
KNKX
“50 years ago Boldt decision affirmed Northwest tribes’ treaty fishing rights”
“Northwest Treaty Tribes call for ‘big fixes’ as salmon recovery lags”
Puget Sound Institute
“The words ‘in common with’ were pivotal to Judge Boldt’s ruling on Native American fishing rights”
King 5
“Historic Boldt Decision subject of new Washington State History Museum exhibit”
Fox 13
“From ‘Fish Wars’ to legal triumph: The Boldt Decision, 50 years later.”
Puyallup Tribe of Indians
“U.S. v. WA 50 event commemorates Boldt Decision”
Al Jazeera
“50 years on, a case to uphold Indigenous rights resonates in the US”
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
“50 years of Boldt: commemorating the historic treaty fishing rights court decision”
Indian Country Today
“The 50th anniversary of the Boldt Decision is a celebration of Native leadership”
USvWA timeline (PDF)
