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
Politics Legislature paves way for more farm, forestland development State Rep. Liz Pike was hard at work, baking cookies. Ninety-eight cookies to be precise — one for each member of the Washington House of Representatives. by Adiel Kaplan for InvestigateWest / April 30, 2017
Environment Lawmakers like the environment. Will they pay up? A Navajo Hotshot firefighter battles the 2013 West Mullan Fire in the Lolo National Forest in Montana. by Adiel Kaplan for InvestigateWest / April 19, 2017
Politics Carbon tax is down but don't count it out Anacortes is the site of several refineries that could be affected by a carbon tax. by Adiel Kaplan / April 10, 2017
Politics If Canada ups its oil shipping, should we worry? An oil tanker near Anacortes, Wash. by Adiel Kaplan for InvestigateWest / March 29, 2017