Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Leadership: Time For a Fresh Perspective?

“Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”  Einstein's definition of insanity certainly applies to our fisheries management.

Are we seeing any improvements in our fisheries?  Has the years of doing the same thing over and over, produced anything other than more of the same?

WE CAN’T EXPECT CHANGE TO COME FROM THOSE WHO BENEFIT FROM KEEPING THINGS THE SAME. WE HAVE TO MAKE THEM CHANGE!

We have received a lot of support from First Nations citizens lately for ending secrecy in our fisheries.  They have told us that they are very concerned about the way things are being handled, the increased tensions between our communities and how there must be a change in the way things are being done.

Many have said they support open meetings.  They suspect, like we do, that there are decisions in those meetings that are not based on conservation, and give some preferential advantage over others. 

For the most part, these conversations occur in private.  As we were told, tribal communities are relatively small, very close knit and are family organized.  In most cases, one family holds the power.  Many of our first nations neighbors have expressed support for transparency, but are reluctant to speak out publicly due to potential reprisals, in some cases, extending to their families.

Here is a quote from one of our tribal partners: (Name withheld to protect privacy.)“Thank you for taking the time to have a good conversation. Being a tribal fisherman it is hard to be able to talk from my perspective. I really like good conversations that both sides can explain their side and point. I agree a live stream would work and help limit complications from having more passionate people in the room.”

 The leadership of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) has adamantly opposed having ANY transparency in the harvest decisions for several years now.  Many in the tribal community are questioning the motives for this.  

Perhaps the leadership of the NWIFC’s insistence on secrecy has more to do with the inequality which happens between tribal nations in these meetings than it does to principle?

What ever the reason, clearly a good number of our First Nation neighbors feel that the leadership of the NWIFC is out of step with the current need for cooperation and trust building.

It’s ironic that the Vice Chair of the NWIFC, Mr. Shawn Yanity would appear in the recent WDFW video “Lifeblood” calling for increased trust and cooperation.  VC Yanity must realize that the foundation of cooperation is trust.  If you are having secret meetings, prohibiting citizens from verifying that there is equality and fair representation, how can you not see you’re a roadblock to trust?

We’ve written a letter to VC Yanity, asking him to reach out to the Commission and end these secret meetings. (See below)

Perhaps it’s time for the leadership of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission to step aside. Maybe it’s time for a fresh perspective from a more visionary leader. A leader who’s out look of the future includes all people working together, with no secrets between them. A true cooperation of effort to fix the many issues our salmon are facing.

Or:  We can allow them to keep doing the same thing over and over, waiting for a different result…until the last salmon disappears.

Letter to NWIFC Vice Chair, Shawn Yanity:

January 29, 2020

Chairmen Shawn Yanity

Stillaguamish Tribe

PO Box 277

Arlington,WA 98223

Chair Yanity,

As we watched the recent documentary, “The Lifeblood”, we were struck with how sincere it was in promoting cooperation.

We too have been advocating for cooperation in saving our salmon and for the need for all the people to come together and work for solutions.

We’ve spent many, many hours testifying to the WDFW Commission, both Directors Unsworth and Susewind and have even reached out to Chairperson Loomis about the need to foster cooperation between all the Co-managers.

Based on what we heard you say in the film, we’re sure you will agree that in order to have cooperation, there must first be a foundation of trust.  Trust built on confidence that all sides are willing to be open and transparent no matter how uncomfortable.  Anything less breeds distrust and suspicion and consequently is counter productive to cooperation.

Unfortunately, there have been a lot of misdeeds and unethical behavior in our histories.  To say there were many injustices done would be an understatement.  And it is also understandable that for some, these unfortunate dark stains have lingered and spoiled the hope for mutual trust.  We must not forget however, no matter what our differences, we can save the salmon and make a better life for all humans by working together.

 As you said, cooperation is the key.  It is only through working together that there is hope.  However, there is an on-going issue that is standing in the way that we cannot ignore.  An obstacle that seems to have a rather simple solution, but to date has been left to fester and grow. The issue of prohibiting public oversight in the North of Falcon negotiations is creating that very obstacle.

Mr. Yanity, as the vice chair to the Northwest Indian Fish Commission, you are in a unique position to help remove this obstacle.  

We fully understand that these meetings have been labeled “Government to Government” and that there are discussions in those negotiations that may be uncomfortable. We are also very aware of the issues that occurred in the past, when observers were allowed in these meetings.  However, we think you will agree that if we continue to look at the past, we cannot build the future.

If we really hope for meaningful cooperation for the greater good, we must be willing to eliminate as many obstacles to trust as possible.

The recreational fishing community is as dedicated to conservation as any.  Therefore, if we could find ways to come together through a nexus of mutual trust, the good we could do would be exponential.

Truly, there are methods to open these meetings to the public without creating interference or undue burden.  Technology already exists and is used in the open meetings of our WDFW Commission. A live stream video, broadcast on the public network as they do for the Commission meetings might be a viable method for example.

Vice Chair, time is running out for our salmon and whales. Everyday we waste pointing fingers and blaming others is another day we have failed our responsibilities to our land and our children.

As we’ve explained, we brought this to the State. The leadership of WDFW has repeatedly told us that the decision to open these meetings rests in the Tribal Co-managers hands or in the courts.  They assure us that WDFW leadership wants to have full transparency, but the Co-managers have not agreed.

We’ve recently sent an open letter to our Commission members, asking them to reach out to Chair Loomis and to you, and again address the need for open and transparent management and the importance it has to trust in the co-management process.

Please, my concerns are to point out what has become a road block to trust, and I hope you understand that my intent is to ask for your help, and not engage in finger pointing.

Let’s work together to restore the trust. Please, contact the Commission Chair, Larry Carpenter and work towards the real cooperation you spoke about in the documentary.

With respect,

Washington Citizen Sportsmen

* Note:  To date we have not received any response from VC Yanity, NWIFC or the WDFW Commission.