“Every single day we are reminded of what we can’t do for our tribal members,” said Johnson.
Johnson has been working with Washington legislators to craft a bill that would secure federal recognition for the Chinook, and is cautiously optimistic that momentum is on the tribe’s side. He and other tribal leaders have engaged in talks with the Quinault Indian Nation, whose opposition to Chinook recognition prompted the Bureau of Indian Affairs to reconsider its decision in 2002.
“We have asked them expressly to provide us with a statement of support for our bill or at least a statement that says they’ll be neutral and not oppose it,” said Johnson.
Johnson said the Chinook Tribe has the support of several neighboring tribes and county commissioners on both sides of the Columbia River.
