C-SPAN Cities Tour - Olympia: The Boldt Decision and Native American Fishing Rights

Learn about the Boldt Decision, which secured Native American's fishing rights on the Puget Sound in the 1970s. During the 20th century Native Americans were arrested and jailed for fishing salmon in certain parts of the Puget Sound. Washington State claimed their fishing activities were eroding the fish supply. The Native Americans argued they had a right to fish these lands under the Medicine Creek Treaty, signed in 1854. Hear former Washington State Supreme Court Justice Gerry Alexander explain the origins of the treaty and the events leading to the Boldt Decision, and Nisqually tribal member and activist Billy Frank Jr. share his thoughts on what many call the landmark civil rights issue of the Pacific Northwest.