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
Environment How COVID reshaped Seattle, season by season Disaster researchers take a Prius-eye view of how COVID-19 is changing the city. by Jane C. Hu High Country News / December 21, 2020
News Wilderness rescuers face a busy winter complicated by COVID The pandemic has driven an increase in outdoor activity and rescues, while limiting training and volunteer opportunities. by Jane C. Hu High Country News / November 16, 2020
Environment Six months, 18,000 meals: Feeding Seattle’s frontline workers Ellen Kuwana's We Got This Seattle keeps employees at grocery stores, homeless shelters and fire stations fed as they battle the pandemic. by Jane C. Hu High Country News / September 4, 2020
Environment Coronavirus cuts off a Washington border town from two countries Point Roberts residents used to cross through Canadian land daily. When the pandemic caused the border to close, they found themselves stranded. by Jane C. Hu High Country News / August 11, 2020
Environment COVID-19 and wildfire smoke are a deadly combo for Seattle With smoke shelters shuttered, public health officials worry thousands could suffer from unhealthy air. by Jane C. Hu High Country News / July 29, 2020
