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OPEN LETTER FOR TRUTH  AND  RECONCILIATION  IN  WASHINGTON  STATE

September 30, 2019

Open Letter to All Washington State Legislature:         

The sovereign Tribes of Washington and non-government organizations urge the government body of Washington State including Natives in Washington Legislature, John McCoy (Tulalip), Deborah Lekanoff (Tlingit) and Natives in Congress, Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk) and Deborah Haaland’s (Laguna Pueblo) to launch Truth and Reconciliation.

In the spirit of public participation, we ask you to join the State of Maine and Canada and begin the process to fully implement this global, consensus instrument of healing, protection and realization of the human rights of Indigenous peoples and nature.  It is critical that the laws of Washington State align with principles that support the Declaration which meet the minimum global standards for the “survival, dignity and well-being” of Indigenous peoples.

We ask legislature to redress the legacy of the root cause (s) of trauma that have impacted our Indigenous peoples and advance proposed actions that will foster reconciliation.  

As inherent right holders, we have a sacred responsibility to protect our inherent birth rights to the land, water, life and democracy for our future generations.  In efforts to mitigate the human and environmental disaster, it is critical that we move swiftly to found and enforce policy, education and cultural knowledge that is in alignment with the global and international framework for reconciliation at all levels and sectors. 

We ask the federal and state government and organizations to stand with us as we begin the process to acknowledge the past, the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the cause and action to change the behavior. 

Contact:  Shirley Williams, RN at shirley.williams.we@gmail.com or text 360-815-2409.  Co-Founder of Whiteswan Environmental, WE (One Mind for the Purpose of the Work)

 Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Chair, Rodney Cawston

Quinalt Indian Nation
Fawn Sharp

Confederated Tribes of The Chehalis Reservation
Chair, Harry Pickernell Sr.

Samish Indian Nation
Chair, Tom Wooten

 Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Chair, Bill lyall

Sauk-Suaittle Indian Tribe
Chair, Benjamin Joseph

Hoh Tribe
Chair, Bernard Afterbuffalo

Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe
Chair, Charlene Nelson

 Jamestown S’Klallum Tribe
Chair, W. Ron Allen

Skokomish Indian Tribe
Chair, Charles ‘Guy’ Miller

 Kalispell Tribe of Indians
Chair, Glen Nenema

Snoqualmie Indian Tribe
Chair, Robert de los Angeles

Lower Elwha Klallum Tribe
Chair, Francis Charles

Spokane Tribe of Indians
Chair, Carol Evans

 Lummi Nation
Chair, Jeremiah ‘Jay’ Julius

Squaxin Tribe
Chair, Arnold Cooper

 Makah Tribe
Chair, Nathan Tyler

Stilliguamish Tribe of Indians
Chair, Shawn Yanity

Muckleshoot Tribe
Jaison Elkins

Suquamish Tribe
Chair, Leonard Forsman

Nisqually Tribe
Chair, Farron McCloud

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
Chair, Brian Cladoosby

 Nooksack Tribe
Chair, Roswell “Ross” Cline

Tulalip Tribes
Chair, Teri Gobin

 Port Gamble S’Klallum Tribe
Chair, Jeremy Sullivan

Upper Skagit Indian Tribe
Chair, Jennifer Washington

 Puyallup Tribe
Chair, David Bean

Yakima Nation
Chair, JoDe Goudy

 Quileute Tribe
Chair, Douglas Woodruff, Sr.
 



Picture


"Our culture is amazing.  The reef-net is amazing and the salmon people are worth saving."  
Youth Leader



​Email:  shirley.williams.we@gmail.com


  • Home
    • Values
  • Sacred Trust Responsibilities
    • National Parks Service
    • National Monument
  • Cultural Preservation
    • Coast Salish Youth Stewardship Corps
    • NXT GEN LANGUAGE HEALERS
    • NXT GEN COHORT
    • Whatcom Intergerational High School
    • Indigenous Truth Washington >
      • WHAT IS TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION?
      • OPEN LETTER
      • SIGN THE PROCLAMATION
      • RESOURCES
    • Living Cultures Exhibit
    • Video Gallery & More >
      • Photos
      • Acknowledgement & Awards
      • Articles
  • Contact Us
    • Elder Advisory Council
    • Board Members
    • Co-Founders
  • DONATE HERE