Native American Fishing Rights

Fishing is a common hobby for all types of people. Native Americans can fish but deserve different fishing rights, rather than the ones they have now. When American settlers immigrated, Indians were reassured they would be compensated. Isaac I Stevens was then appointed as the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, he began to create treaties which included talking about fishing grounds. It was then signed to confirm the fishing rights and other agreed rights. Native Americans should have different fishing rights because they are their own sovereign nation, it’s part of their culture, and it was confirmed in the treaty.

Native Americans should have different fishing rights because they’re their own sovereign nation. According to the Treaty of Point

Elliott, “All which tracts shall be set apart, and so far as necessary surveyed and marked out for their exclusive use,” (Stevens) The Native Americans were given this area but are allowed to be the only people who use it. They are more joined together this way. It’s also meant to show they can use it however they want if they are by themselves, they are even paid if damage or construction is in the reserve. According to the Treaty of Point Elliott, “There is, however, reserved for the present use and occupation of the said tribes and bands the following tracts of land, viz: the amount of two sections or twelve hundred and eighty acres.” (Stevens) They were given a large amount of land and it’s reserved so those who live on it can be free on it. This makes them feel unified and together like a nation, not separated. Because of the Stevens act and the spirit behind it, the tribes should be allowed to continue to be the sole owners of the fishing rights because it will go on to unite the nation.
Native Americans should have different fishing rights because it’s an important part of their culture.

According to the Treaty of Point Elliott, “The right of taking fish at usual and accustomed grounds and stations is further secured to said Indians in common with all citizens of the Territory and of erecting temporary houses for the purpose of curing, together with the privilege of hunting and gathering roots and berries on open and unclaimed lands,” (Stevens). Fishing and hunting was part of their culture because they wanted to give back to the Earth. Stevens recognized this and that’s why he included it in the treaties and the tribal nations. According to Background: Treaty Making in Western Washington, “The treaties provided for reservations and acknowledged the importance of “usual and accustomed: fishing and shell-fishing grounds as well as hunting and other resource taking territories for the sustenance of the Indian people” (Harmon). Not just for their culture but the fact some items can be used for trade. If they took that privilege away non Indians would have nothing to gain since trading wouldn’t happen anymore. It would be a loss for both parties. To Native Americans, culture is a large part in their life. It would be very wrong to strip them of

that.
Native Americans should have different fishing rights because of the signed treaty. According to the Background: The Point No Point Treaty Tribes, “Because the fish returned yearly, the people had a reliable, bountiful annual food supply,” (Danaan). In the treaty, Native Americans were allowed to fish because of their culture, the treaty was then signed verifying that they can fish when they make their yearly visit. According to Background: Treaty Making in Western Washington, “Indians provided settles with foods such as fish, shellfish, meat, and a variety of seasonal crops such as berries,” (Harmon). Indians gifted settlers and traded with non-Indians, since this is stated in the treaty it must be recognized. Although if they don’t follow the rules laid out for them, they may be stripped of their privileges even though they were kind and respectful to others. The treaty was signed and citizen and Native Americans must abide by the rules since it was made official.
Native American fishing rights should be different as fishing is a large part in their culture, they’re their own sovereign nation, and Isaac Stevens made everything mentioned official by signing the treaty.

Native Americans were given land and are the only people who can use it, this makes them feel like a nation, culturally, they fish because they feel the need to give back to the Earth and that is the way they know how. When Isaac signed the treaty, everyone agreed to abide and keep their promise to these rules. Native Americans deserve to have good fishing rights since it was agreed on and keeping the promises spoken about. If they weren’t going to be kept, the treaty might as well mean

nothing.