During the afternoon of March 2, Gonzaga University's history department hosted a screening of "Fish War," a documentary examining tribal claims to salmon fishing rights in the wake of bans enforced by Washington state legislation in the 1960s.
The screening was held in the Cataldo Globe Room for the 2025 William L. Davis, S.J., Lecture series and was followed by a panel discussion. History professor and GU's Director of Native American Studies Laurie Arnold gave an introduction to the event.
“Salmon have been and remain central to Plateau spirituality and identity,” Arnold said. “Salmon cared for us and we must in turn care for salmon. This is our responsibility and our privilege.”
Arnold said that “Fish War” addresses themes of tribal sovereignty that are historical but still relevant today.
“‘Fish War’ is a film about the past, present and future of tribal treaty and fishing rights, and about our shared responsibilities to foster and protect fish habitats,” Arnold said. “In 2025, it is difficult for us to understand the massive changes federal Indian policy and the U.S. government wrought on tribes across the U.S.”
The documentary explores the effects of a 1974 court ruling, known as the Boldt decision after Judge George Boldt, which reaffirmed the rights of Washington tribes to harvest and co-manage salmon as a state resource.
Ed Johnstone, a Quinault tribal citizen, chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and event panelist spoke about his involvement in the film. Johnstone said that the Boldt ruling and the historical moments captured in “Fish War” connect to issues that still exist.
“We’re telling the story of what it took to get from not being able to access our rivers and our way of life through [salmon], to the courts, to the victory and to where we are today, fighting to keep the salmon here with us in our culture.”
Johnstone also described the roughly two-year process of putting the documentary together, which involved conducting interviews and combing through previous documentaries and films on similar topics. By showcasing "Fish War" at different festivals, Johnstone said he and the filmmakers are promoting not only the film but telling its story.
Another of the event's panelists was Twa-le Abrahamson, a Spokane tribal citizen and environmental justice organizer. Abrahamson talked about the lasting impacts of the Boldt decision from the perspective of tribal activism.
“The decision led to a more holistic approach to water, land and forest management, and [opened] the door for tribes to have a seat at the table with state and federal agencies,” Abrahamson said. “It provided a look into a successful campaign of direct action combined with legal and political actions needed to win against the powers that be.”
Abrahamson also commented on the relevance of “Fish War” to tribes in and around Spokane, who continue to depend on salmon.
“The tribes who [have] thrived here for thousands of years prior to colonization [continue] to respect the fish and game animals, the traditional plants and foods that nourished our people for generations,” Abrahamson said. “We still maintain that relationship, we still harvest and gather these foods and our responsibility is to ensure they’re safe for consumption.”
Johnstone said that “Fish War” is only being shown at screenings and festivals for the next few weeks, but that the documentary will hopefully be made available online in April.
