Treaty Justice, Charles Wilkinson
Treaty Justice, Charles Wilkinson
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

Treaty Justice
The Northwest Tribes, the Boldt Decision, and the Recognition of Fishing Rights

Author: Charles Wilkinson

Narrator: Jason Grasl

Unabridged: 7 hr 42 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/01/2024


Synopsis

In 1974, Judge George Boldt issued a ruling that affirmed the fishing rights and tribal sovereignty of Native nations in Washington State. The Boldt Decision transformed Indigenous law and resource management across the United States and beyond. The case also brought about far-reaching societal changes, reinforcing tribal sovereignty and remedying decades of injustice.

Eminent legal historian and tribal advocate Charles Wilkinson tells the story of the Boldt Decision against the backdrop of salmon's central place in the cultures and economies of the Pacific Northwest. In the 1960s, Native people reasserted their fishing rights as delineated in nineteenth-century treaties. In response, state officials worked with non-Indian commercial and sport fishing interests to forcefully oppose Native actions. These "fish wars" spurred twenty tribes and the United States government to file suit in federal court. Boldt pointedly waited until Lincoln's birthday to hand down a decision recognizing the tribes' right to half of the state's fish. The case's aftermath led from the Supreme Court's affirmation of Boldt's opinion to collaborative management of the harvest of salmon.

Treaty Justice weaves personalities and local detail into the definitive account of one of the twentieth century's most important civil rights cases.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Abby on February 17, 2025

4.5 — really thorough and accessible overview of the history and significance of the Boldt Decision for indigenous sovereignty in the PNW and beyond. Highly recommend!! Knocked off half a star because there were some parts where the white narrative started getting a bit paternalistic in its reportin......more

Goodreads review by Sandy on January 28, 2024

I pretty much devoured this book in 24 hours! I learned so much! Having lived in WA for over 10 years, I have heard so much about the importance of the Boldt Decision, but I didn’t know the details and a lot of the context of the decision until now. The book tells the story of treaty rights, history......more

Goodreads review by Michael on October 24, 2024

The book is excellent. Tremendous background and history for this crucial decision in the PNW. Note: avoid the audiobook. Terrible pronunciation and an odd reference to Governor Dan Evan’s with a completely different name (but definitely him because the phrase introducing him is 3 term governor, and......more

Goodreads review by Doza on May 05, 2025

Riveting account of justice denied, acquired and fitfully maintained for 50 years. As someone living in WA for nearly 20 years and working on environmental issues, the Boldt decision is commonly known as a centerpiece of tribal fishing rights. Yet that only scratches the surface of its impact in rec......more

Goodreads review by Juliana on February 17, 2024

Treaty Justice: The Northwest Tribes, the Boldt Decision, and the Recognition of Fishing Rights is an excellent resource to familiarize yourself with the history and peoples of Washington and also a look at how our justice system and civil rights can and should work to right wrongs of the past.......more