SEATTLE – The city has signed agreements with four Seattle-area tribes that establish protocols for the way the city’s government deals with the tribes on issues of mutual concern – from fisheries to the environment.
“This government-to-government agreement is a relationship-building tool, said Brian Cladoosby, whose great-great grandfather signed a treaty between Northwest Indians and the U.S. government on behalf of the Swinomish Tribe nearly 150 years ago.
Cladoosby sat next to Mayor Greg Nickels for Tuesday’s ceremony at City Hall, which included representatives from three other tribes, the Suquamish, Tulalips and Snoqualmie.
Recognized Indian tribes hold special relationships with federal and state governments that acknowledge tribes as sovereign nations.
“I think this provides leadership for other cities to follow,” said Scott Sufficool, tribal liaison for the city’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations. He helped negotiate the agreements for the city.
Everett also has signed a similar agreement with tribes, said Kyle Taylor Lucas, a Tulalip Indian and director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs.
Last year, the Tulalip Tribes confederation agreed to a comprehensive governmental alliance with Everett, in part to set up a mechanism to resolve disputes between the tribes and the city. At least two lawsuits have been resolved as a result, Lucas said.
Seattle forged its first government-to-government agreement, also with the Tulalip Tribes, three years ago
On Tuesday, the city reaffirmed that agreement and signed agreements with the Swinomish, the Suquamish and the Snoqualmie tribes. The mayor said they were the first of 12 protocols that will be developed with local tribal governments.
By recognizing tribes’ treaty rights and status as sovereign nations, the city said its goal is to do a better job at planning projects that affect both the city and the tribes.
City and tribal officials agreed that salmon and environmental policies are of foremost importance.
“We have to be able to work together to bring the salmon back,” said Stan Jones Sr., chairman of the Tulalip Tribes.
Bennie Armstrong, chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, called the agreements “a sign of progress that not only did we work together 150 years ago, but we look forward to working together for another 150 years.”
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