In the eighteen hundreds Indians battled for their land, but now they face a new battle. Washington State Indians fight to keep their hunting rights they received as part of treaty agreements with the United States in the mid 1800's. In these agreements the Indians gave the Federal goverment land in exchange for other land they could settle. The government also allowed the Indians to retain certain rights such as hunting and fishing rights, so they could provide for themselves. (Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, 1998)
Today the Indians are at a crossroads. They either have to fight for their right to hunt in Washington State or the right will be taken from them.
To learn more about the issues of Indians and hunting in Washington State visit the links below.
