Swing a Club, Save a Salmon.

The 6th Annual Salmon Defense Golf Tournament will take place Friday, May 20th at the Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim, Washington.

More details to come.

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Sponsored by:

Jamestown S’Klallam Seven Cedars Casino

This endowment will be used for the following purposes:

• Provide educational scholarships for native people pursuing knowledge and careers that sustain salmon resources and native lifeways.
• Fund restoration projects that increase and improve salmon spawning, rearing and migratory habitats.
• Engage legal challenges on behalf of the salmon.
• Support education projects, productions and facilities that engage the public interest and understanding of the ecosystems, salmon and native cultures.
• Provide an annual award to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated leadership and commitment to the environment through collaborative problem solving.

A reception and book signing will follow the event. Books also will be available for sale.

“Charles Wilkinson evokes the character and culture of the Nisqually people as well as their deep love for their land. From Chief Leschi to Billy Frank, we see the long thread of cultural continuity, culminating in modern times with this fight for justice.” – Ada Deer (Menominee), University of Wisconsin-Madison

Charles Wilkinson and Billy Frank, Jr. Photo: © 2000 Mary Randlett

Billy Frank Jr. spreads the word and requests support for the work and vision of Salmon Defense at the Rumsey Rancheria. Photo by Peggan Hines

We made our way to the Cascade Locks area to acquire fresh salmon for a Salmon Defense salmon dinner fundraiser at the rancheria. As we were driving along the Columbia River, we started to notice several vehicles parked along the water and fishermen out along the river bank. It was such a beautiful drive along the river with the sun glistening off the bluegreen water and I couldn’t help but think that it looked like sparking silver coins lying on the water.

Mowit had friends who were fishing and we were on the lookout for them. We pulled off into an area a few miles from the Locks and started walking along the riverbank looking for fishermen with salmon. We end up buying several fish from Mowit’s friends.

While we were watching the fishing, a young Indian woman who was there with her family pulled two salmon from the river. We bought those plus a few other fish from her.

It was really wonderful watching our people fishing, a tradition that we have enjoyed for many thousands of years. The tribal fishermen use wagons or garden carts to pull their coolers along the riverbank. They can become pretty heavy once they get a few salmon in there.

Needing more salmon for the dinner, we drove into Cascade Locks where Mowit’s friend had a roadside stand selling fresh salmon. We got the rest of our 300 fish there. We were lucky that they were catching fish that day.

The rest of the trip to the Rumsey Rancheria was filled with stories, music and laughter. Once we arrived, we phoned ahead to alert the chef and find out where to deliver our fish. It took a forklift to move the tote from the back of Mowit’s truck to the loading dock.

The Rumsey Rancheria’s Cache Creek Casino and Hotel is huge, similar to Tulalip Tribes’ facility. The first evening we caught up with Marshall McKay, chairman of the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians. We had dinner with Marshall and a group of his friends that included professional golfer Notah Begay and Olympian Billy Mills. Notah was there on behalf of his foundation (Notah Begay III Foundation) and put on a golfing clinic for Rumsey children. He also took time to provide a demonstration at the Salmon Defense salmon dinner the next evening. We were fortunate to meet Donna Madsen, Marshall’s assistant, who is a member of the Quinault Indian Nation. Donna told us she tries to come home to Quinault at least twice a year and promises to pay us a visit the next time she is in the area.

Our Salmon Defense salmon dinner was held in conjunction with the Rumsey’s grand opening of a new golf clubhouse that overlooks an 18-hole golf course adjacent to the tribe’s vineyard.

Chef Stephan and his crew created a huge salmon ice sculpture featuring salmon we brought. The tribe provided a feast of grilled salmon, crab legs, oysters, etc., along with their own bottled wines.

Billy provided a rousing speech about Salmon Defense and how important salmon and our natural resources are to Indian people, as well as everyone else, and the need to preserve our natural resources for future generations.

We were there for three days and drove home in the rain. We came home with a donation in hand for Salmon Defense, as part of our successful effort. We hope it was an opportunity to plant seeds that will bear fruit in the future.

Willie Frank; Billy Frank Jr.; and Fran Wilshusen at the Nisqually Tribe’s charitable event. Photo by Peggan Hines

This generous contribution, combined with others from the Muckleshoot Tribe and the Lummi Nation, helps ensure that the memories, lessons and stories of the pre-Boldt decision Fish Wars
will be brought forward and become part of people’s understanding throughout the region.

With this gift, the Nisqually Tribe has demonstrated a commitment to support Salmon Defense for 100 years by creating an endowment for salmon today.

Thank you to the Nisqually Tribe for supporting Salmon Defense and this important project.

The MWL retroactively expands water rights held by public and private water purveyors at the expense of stream flows important for salmon and steelhead habitat.

During its 2010 winter term, the Washington State Supreme Court heard a challenge to the MWL brought by the Makah Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, Squaxin Island Tribe, Tulalip Tribes, Lummi Nation and Suquamish Tribe.

Key sections of the MWL were ruled unconstitutional in June 2008 by King County Superior Court Judge Jim Rodgers. Tribes defended Judge Rodgers’ ruling before the state Supreme Court and will seek
invalidation of other sections within the MWL that are harmful to salmon.

“The MWL represents an unconstitutional attempt by the legislature to rewrite Washington water law to benefit politically powerful water interests,” said John Arum, lead tribal attorney on the case. “The tribes’ case seeks to hold the line on these illegal raids on the water resources needed to sustain treaty fisheries.”

The 2010 Salmon Defense Golf Tournament takes place Friday, May 14th at the Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim, Washington.

Check in starts at noon

• 4 Person Scramble
• Handicaps will be assigned
• Single $125 – Foursome $500

Includes: Driving Range Warm-up, Power Carts, Contests & Awards Event

Sponsored by:
Jamestown S’Klallam Seven Cedars Casino