Non-Indian NGOs gathered outside the historic Salmon & Orca Summit (July 7-8) to show our support for the Summit's purpose, to have elected officials hear the concerns, desires and experiences of the tribes and why they want elected officials to get behind the "Simpson Plan."  Activists greeted tribal leaders and representatives for elected officials as they entered the tribal summit.

One month ago the Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians (ATNI) 57 tribes unanimously passed an important resolution showing tribal support for Congressman Mike Simpson's (R-ID) Columbia River Basin Initiative. This was followed two weeks later by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) consisting of over 500 tribes passing a similar resolution.

NW Tribes convened by ATNI and the Nez Perce met at Squaxin Island Tribes conference center to communicate with Congressional delegations and Governors of the Pacific Northwestern states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho to deliver their message that now is the time for action, that the only framework for action that exists at this point is Simpson's Columbia River Basin Plan, and that any viable path forward must include dam removal, specifically the four Lower Snake River Dams. 

Flickr images of the Solidarity Vigil Backbone helped coordinate: https://www.flickr.com/photos/backbone_campaign/albums/72157719575819260

Seattle Times article by Lynda Mapes:

NCAI resolution: https://www.ncai.org/AK-21-009.pdf