U.S. v. Washington (Boldt Decision)

The U.S. v. Washington case, known as the Boldt Decision (1974), affirmed that Washington State's Treaty of 1854-1855 granted Indigenous tribes the right to Half of the fish they historically harvested from their traditional waters. The case established that tribal members share fishing rights with the state, emphasizing that these rights are protected under federal law. It marked a significant shift in recognizing tribal sovereignty and interests in natural resource management, ensuring tribes have a fair, legal claim to a portion of the salmon and other fish they have historically relied upon for sustenance and cultural practices.