Trova Heffernan

This is a biography of Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually Indian who fought for Native American rights. In particular, he was instrumental in a major battle in the 1970s between Native Americans and the state of Washington over fishing rights. The treaty between Washington and Native Americans says that that Native Americans can fish in their accustomed places along Washington rivers, but racist white people accused Native Americans of being the reason salmon populations were declining. Of course, habitat degradation, pollution, and industrial fishing are the reason salmon runs collapsed, but it was easier to blame Indians. Frank organized "fish-ins", where he and other Native Americans would fish on land that used to be theirs. These often turned violent, as the Department of Natural Resources would send armed cops to arrest them. This battle went on for many years before the courts eventually decided in favor of the tribes. After winning that battle, Frank continued to fight for Native American rights and for conservation of natural resources. He eventually helped to broker a treaty between the US and Canada to regulate coastal salmon fishing.

This is a pretty straightforward biography, discussing his struggles with alcoholism, his family relationships, and his personality. He is a very important figure in Native American history.… (mais)