Seattle signs pacts with tribes

SEATTLE – The city has signed agreements with four Seattle-area tribes that establish protocols for the way the city’s government deals with the Indians on issues of mutual concern – from fisheries to the environment.

Tuesday’s ceremony at City Hall included representatives from the Northwest Indians, the Suquamish, the Tulalip and the Snoqualmie.

Recognized Indian tribes hold special “government-to-government” relationships with federal and state governments that acknowledge tribes as sovereign nations.

“I think this provides leadership for other cities to follow,” said Scott Sufficool, tribal liaison for the city’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations.

At least one other Washington city – Everett – has signed a similar agreement with tribes, said Kyle Taylor Lucas, a Tulalip Indian and director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs.

Last year the Tulalip Tribes agreed to a comprehensive “governmental alliance” with Everett, in part to set up a mechanism to resolve disputes between the tribes and the city. At least two lawsuits have been resolved as a result, Lucas said.

By recognizing tribes’ treaty rights and status as sovereign nations, the city said its goal is to do a better job at planning projects that affect both the city and the tribes.

City and tribal officials agreed that salmon and environmental policies are of foremost importance. “We have to be able to work together to bring the salmon back,” said Stan Jones Sr., chairman of the Tulalip Tribes.