U.S. Rep. Denny Heck, D-Olympia, is introducing the Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act to Congress today. HR 2270 would rename the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge the "Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge” in honor of the Nisqually tribal leader, who died a year ago this month. It would also designate the spot where the 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty was signed as a national historic site.
The treaty guaranteed Indian tribes the right to fish "at all usual and accustomed grounds and stations," but from the age of 14, Frank was thrown in jail repeatedly for fishing in the Nisqually River near his home. He took his fight to state, national and international stages, and created the Nisqually River Council, which united small towns, farmers, big corporations and tribes to preserve the salmon runs and uphold treaty rights.
Frank won Crosscut's first Lifetime Achievement Award last year for his work in reaching across "social, cultural and political divides to save a precious natural resource." His philosophy was that everyone has a story that needs to be heard.
