Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe Brings First 'Rights of Salmon' Case
Southern Resident orcas, Tribe depend on Skagit River salmon
Case follows Chippewa litigation filed to protect wild rice and treaty rights
Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights
Thomas Linzey, Senior Legal Counsel, Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights, tal@pa.net
Censored News
January 11, 2022
DARRINGTON, Washington -- On January 6, the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe filed a lawsuit against the City of Seattle. The case, filed by the Tribe on its own behalf and on behalf of Tsuladxw (salmon in the Tribe's language), was filed in Sauk-Suiattle Tribal Court.
The Tribe seeks recognition that salmon have inherent rights to "exist, flourish, regenerate…and restoration," and that the Tribe possesses the duty to "protect and save" salmon in the face of continued harm and decline, including from the City of Seattle's dams on the Skagit River.
Censored News
January 11, 2022
DARRINGTON, Washington -- On January 6, the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe filed a lawsuit against the City of Seattle. The case, filed by the Tribe on its own behalf and on behalf of Tsuladxw (salmon in the Tribe's language), was filed in Sauk-Suiattle Tribal Court.
The Tribe seeks recognition that salmon have inherent rights to "exist, flourish, regenerate…and restoration," and that the Tribe possesses the duty to "protect and save" salmon in the face of continued harm and decline, including from the City of Seattle's dams on the Skagit River.