Leonard Forsman is the Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe and President of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians. In five minutes, Chairman Forsman takes us through hundreds of years of regional history, many threats to Tribal Treaty rights, including the severe threat of dwindling salmon runs throughout the northwest year after year, affecting livelihoods, ecosystems, and jeopardizing the Tribal treaties to which the United States is legally bound.
Unfortunately, healthy habitat has dwindled to the point that Puget Sound salmon species have declined by 90% compared to historical populations.Restoring salmon numbers will increase food security throughout our state, and particularly in communities that rely on salmon.
We are staring down a future without salmon if the Washington State legislature doesn’t take bold and substantial action this year. One thing they can do is ensure a budget that invests $100 million to restore riparian habitat critical to salmon to survive and thrive.
TAKE ACTION: Tell your legislators to invest in a budget that prioritizes restoring riparian habitat. To find out who your state and federal legislators are, visit the Washington State Legislature web page. From here, you can also send your state legislator emails on issues you care about, including clean water, the Puget Sound, orcas, salmon and reducing plastics in the Salish Sea.
Credits: Special gratitude to the James M. Lea Foundation for their gracious support of this We Are Puget Sound video series.
Photo Credit, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.