Billy Frank Jr.
Billy Frank Jr. (March 9, 1931 – May 5, 2014) was a Native American environmental leader and advocate of treaty rights. As a member of the Nisqually tribe, Frank led a grassroots campaign in the 1960s and 1970s to secure fishing rights on the Nisqually River, located in Washington state. His efforts centered around promoting cooperative management of natural resources. Frank served as the chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for over thirty years.
Billy Frank Jr. | |
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Billy Frank Jr. at the 2012 Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award ceremony in Portland, Oregon | |
| Born | March 9, 1931 Nisqually, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | May 5, 2014 (aged 83) Nisqually, Washington, U.S. |
| Nationality | Nisqually Indian |
| Occupation | Native American rights activist |
| Years active | 1960-2014 |
| Known for | Advocate of tribal fishing rights, leader of "fish-ins" during Fish Wars |
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| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom |
During the Fish Wars, Frank organized a series of "fish-ins." These events culminated in the Boldt Decision, which affirmed that Washington state tribes were entitled to fifty percent of the annual fish harvest.
In recognition of his contributions, Frank was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in November 2015. The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge was renamed in his honor in December 2015. Billy Frank Jr. continues to be considered a bridge between Western and Native American societies in regards to environmental sustainability.