Tribal Resources

For the “western science” community, this concept (among others) is of critical importance as it represents generations of knowledge passed along through a variety of cultural sharing ways (e.g., stories, songs, etc.). Many federal and state organizations have begun to incorporate TEK into research and education, instead of solely relying upon scientific methodologies, as these two ideologies are often complimentary.

It is important to point out that members of tribes, first nations, and other indigenous communities throughout North America are each members of sovereign, unique, self-governed communities. In the news, for example, one might hear about “the tribes” being involved in some sort of state or federal policy issue (e.g., something related to fisheries, etc.). This can lead to the incorrect view of all tribes and tribal members as being one and the same. In reality, individual tribes may be at odds with one another, just as much as any other group or organization might be. Each tribe is unique with their own set of stories, history, and culture.

Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

• Natural resources management support service organization for 20 treaty Indian tribes in western Washington (https://nwifc.org)

Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians

• Nonprofit organization representing 57 northwest tribal governments from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, southeast Alaska, Northern California and Western Montana (https://atnitribes.org)
• ATNI not only deals with natural resources issues, but also policy and energy issues. They do have a regional tribal climate resilience liaison who works with UW and USGS: Chas Jones (cejones@usgs.gov)

Washington State Governor’s Office Tribal Directory

• Directory for federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribes in WA state (https://goia.wa.gov/tribal-directory)
• Also contains tribal contact information, a list of tribal newspapers, colleges, courts, museums, tribal organizations, and more

Tribes in the Bellingham area

• Lummi Nation – (https://www.lummi-nsn.gov/)
• Nooksack Indian Tribe Natural and Cultural Resources Department (https://nooksacktribe.org/)

Tribes in the Anacortes/Skagit Area

• Samish Tribe – (https://www.samishtribe.nsn.us/)
• Swinomish Tribe – (https://swinomish-nsn.gov/)
• Upper Skagit Tribe – (https://upperskagittribe-nsn.gov/)
• Sauk-Suiattle – (http://www.sauk-suiattle.com/)
• Stillaguamish Tribe – (https://www.stillaguamish.com/)

Tribes in the Olympic Peninsula

• - Hoh Tribe – (https://hohtribe-nsn.org/culture/)
• - Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe – (https://www.elwha.org/)
• - Makah Tribe – (https://makah.com/)
• - Quileute Tribe – (https://quileutenation.org/)
• - Quinault Tribe – (http://www.quinaultindiannation.com/)
• - Skokomish Tribe – (https://www.skokomish.org/)
• - Point No Point Treaty Council (PNPTC) – is a tribal consortium that offers scientific and natural resources management expertise on behalf of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. In addition, PNPTC also work with many other tribal organizations and Puget Sound area tribes on various projects. (https://pnptc.org/)
• - Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Natural Resources – One of the PNPTC member Tribes on the Olympic Peninsula (https://jamestowntribe.org/)

Tribes in the Kitsap Peninsula

• - Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe – One of the PNPTC member Tribes on Kitsap Peninsula (https://www.pgst.nsn.us/)
• - Suquamish Tribe – (https://suquamish.nsn.us/)

Tribes in the Everett Area

• - Snohomish Tribe – (https://snohomishtribe.org/about)
• - Tulalip Tribes – (https://www.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov/)

Tribes in the Seattle Area

• - Duwamish Tribe – (https://www.duwamishtribe.org/)
• - Muckleshoot Tribe – (http://www.muckleshoot.nsn.us/)
• - Nisqually Tribe – (http://www.nisqually-nsn.gov/)
• - Snoqualmie Tribe – (https://www.snoqualmietribe.us/)
• - Suquamish Tribe – (https://suquamish.nsn.us/)

Western Washington University Tribal Relations

• Laural Ballew - American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations Relations Executive Director and Tribal Liaison (https://www.wwu.edu/tribal-relations)
• Tribal Lands Statement / land acknowledgement: https://www.wwu.edu/tribal-lands-statement

Northwest Indian College

• Accredited tribal college serving Washington, Oregon, and Idaho (https://www.nwic.edu/)
• Main campus is located on the Lummi Indian Reservation near Bellingham

University of Washington Native Life and Tribal Relations

• Iisaaksiichaa Ross Braine - Tribal Liaison, Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (https://www.washington.edu/diversity/tribal-relations/)
• Info about Iisaaksiichaa and his role at UW: https://thewholeu.uw.edu/2017/03/03/staff-story-iisaaksiichaa-braine/