The documentary FISH WAR combines interviews and first-person accounts with 1960-1970s footage of tribal fishers being violently arrested by state authorities.
Among them was Nisqually tribal member Billy Frank Jr., who was arrested at least 50 times for fishing in traditional areas. He’d get out of jail, go fishing, and get arrested again until a landmark 1974 court decision reaffirmed his treaty-protected right to harvest salmon and recognized tribes as fisheries managers.
Below are extended interviews from the film of his sons Willie Frank III and Tobin “Sugar” Frank.
To hear more from the tribal leaders, fishers and managers featured in FISH WAR, the extended interviews from the film are available on archive.org.