Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, formally Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, was established in 1974 as part of the National Park Service's Registry of Natural Landmarks. The refuge is also the site of the 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty signing.

In this episode we visit the refuge and discuss how tribal sovereignty relates to the Refuge, how changes in the landscape affects sense of place, and ongoing efforts to protect sacred land.

Billy Frank Jr was known for his activism during the second treaty war, also known as the fishing wars of the 1970s. Frank organized fish-ins which led to the Boldt Decision of 1974, a federal court case that reaffirmed tribal fishing rights. Frank was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. In 2021, Washington Governor, Jay Inslee signed legislation to honor Frank with a statue in the National Statuary Hall in DC. Once complete, this statue will replace that of Marcus Whitman, an early missionary to the region.

Panelists include:

1. Nettsie Bullchild, Director of Nisqually Tribal Archives/Nisqually Tribal Historic Preservation Office
2. Warren KingGeorge, Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
3. Additional comments provided by Kurtis Bullchild, Archives Tech, Nisqually Indian Tribe

Learn More at our tribal partner websites and fortnisqually.org.