Indigenous Affairs Native nations lead salmon restoration efforts in Columbia Basin The number of returning adult salmon and steelhead has doubled since the 1990s, but is still only halfway to the NWPCC’s goal of 5 million. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore + ICT / February 10, 2025
Indigenous Affairs Cowlitz Tribe youth help lead this year’s First Salmon Ceremony “It’s what we do to thank the salmon for what they give,” said Lydia Hodges, 15, part of the new generation carrying on the sacred ritual. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore + ICT / June 24, 2024
Indigenous Affairs Yakama Nation’s new public safety campus gives justice room to grow The tribal court system, which had occupied a cluster of trailers since the ’50s, plans to add services like a mental health or a veterans court. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore News and ICT / January 9, 2024
Equity Snoqualmie Tribe starts land protection sales tax at Salish Lodge The 2% tax will preserve ancestral sites such as Snoqualmie Falls, and could be a model for other Indigenous nations. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore/ICT / July 17, 2023
News The Washington mental health lifeline made for and by Native people The Native and Strong Lifeline provides connection and culturally specific care to callers in crisis. by Nika Bartoo-Smith Indian Country Today and Underscore News / June 19, 2023
Equity WA troopers still more likely to pull over Native American drivers Two years after an investigation showed a disproportionate bias, a state patrol report shows not much has changed. by Jason Buch InvestigateWest / January 13, 2022
Equity Recent protests revive push for WA to speed up police reform Nearly two years after voters approved I-940, training lags while investigations into police-involved killings face scrutiny. by Jason Buch InvestigateWest / August 25, 2020
News Efforts to bring COVID-19 relief to undocumented workers gain traction While people without legal immigration status pay into unemployment insurance, they don't benefit. by Jason Buch InvestigateWest / June 23, 2020 / Updated on June 24 at 6 p.m.
Politics WA commits $50K to investigate bias in State Patrol stops Decision comes in the wake of revelations that Washington State Patrol troopers search people of color at far higher rates than whites. by Jason Buch InvestigateWest / March 16, 2020
Politics Racial bias study for WA State Patrol could resume after 13 years House budget has $50,000 to fund a collaboration between State Patrol and WSU to analyze traffic stops for evidence of bias. by Jason Buch InvestigateWest / March 6, 2020
