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I\u2019ve mentioned before in this blog that I love history.\u00a0 I find it fascinating and instructive to learn from noteworthy people from all facets of our world. Much of the way I enjoy those lessons is through reading. I typically have 2 or 3 books that I\u2019m reading at any given time.<\/p>\n
You can imagine my excitement when I recently had the opportunity to learn about history in-person from the actual people who made it!<\/p>\n
It was a gift to be able to hear first-hand about the groundbreaking Centennial Accord that formalized the relationship between the 26 federally recognized Indigenous tribes and the state of Washington.<\/p>\n
The Accord was entered into on August 4, 1989, and was timed to coincide with the centennial celebration of Washington statehood in June of that year.<\/p>\n
The architects of this agreement recently spoke at our Environmental Services Building to a packed room of County leaders.\u00a0 Thanks to the work of Sarah Colleen Sotomish, a member of the Quinault Nation and my Executive Team, four amazing leaders helped us better understand the importance of the Accord over 30 years ago, and its continued importance today.<\/p>\n
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The panel was moderated by Bob Whitener, Squaxin Island Tribe, and the panelists were Mel Tonasket, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Dick Thompson, former Chief of Staff to Gov. Booth Gardner, and Ron Allen, Chairman, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. These men, as well as the late Joe DeLaCruz of the Quinault Nation, came together against the odds to create and gain approval for the landmark agreement that recognized each tribe as a sovereign nation.<\/p>\n
At times, as I listened to the wise and witty speakers, I wasn\u2019t sure if I was receiving a history lesson or a leadership lesson.\u00a0 I was mesmerized hearing about how they realized the importance of setting aside their own specific needs to adapt and shift toward an agreement that would move to a better future for both Native and non-Native peoples.\u00a0 They saw what was possible – when most others could not.\u00a0 They were willing to risk their personal credibility and reputations to achieve it.<\/p>\n
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That art of compromise is not easily or willingly practiced by some, but it made all the difference during a time of great tension and disagreement. Prior to this agreement, issues between a tribe and the State of Washington were confrontational and largely decided in the courts.\u00a0 For many, on both sides, these fights were all they knew – or could imagine.\u00a0 DeLaCruz, Allen, and Tonasket would be accused of being traitors by some in the tribal community.\u00a0 Thompson and Governor Gardner were thought of as sellouts by some in government at the state and local levels.\u00a0 However, they knew that a collaborative and more respectful relationship between the state and the tribes would benefit all.<\/p>\n
I strongly urge you to set aside some time and watch the meeting linked below.\u00a0 It was powerful, with great humor and a tremendous amount of respect and affection shown among the speakers. Their remarks were quite moving at times and reflected the\u00a0incredible wisdom that comes from looking back with a hard-earned perspective.<\/p>\n