Congratulation goes out to the Tulalip Tribes. For years the two docks at the end of Priest Point Road on the reservation have been used by the public for fishing. It was a popular place for kids to throw a line off the dock, and when the humpys were in, have a chance to catch a fish. Pretty exciting for young kids to have some fun.
On Saturday, the Tulalip Tribes board of directors (after apparently hearing some complaints from tribal members that they should be the only ones able to use the dock), decided to close the area to non-tribal members by putting up no trespassing signs. Contrary to what they may say, there were never any signs posted in this area prior to Saturday.
Before the no trespassing signs went up, some young non-tribal members were fishing off the dock and the tribal members called the police. When the police showed up, they walked out onto the dock and told the non-tribal member kids (all less than 12 years old) that they were not allowed on the dock and would have to leave. Some of these kids have been fishing off these docks for years.
The tribal council is now saying that when they put up no trespassing signs on their property it means that only tribal members have the rights to that property. For this reason, several young kids who were enjoying a chance to catch a fish have now been told they can no longer do so, because of their non-tribal standing. Try explaining this to kids who think everyone is created equal.
Sadly, after several phone calls, the tribe is standing by its decision. In this case, the tribal board has egg all over its face and is showing a whole lot of young folks what discrimination really means.
Dean Zevenbergen
Marysville
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