Recently, one of our long time supporters made a comment and suggested we take the recent NWIFC statement along with WDFW's and bring it to State officials for help. I thought I would reply to his comments in an update, as I believe the cold hard reality of the situation is important enough that it should be shared with everyone. The more we dig into this, the more it's evident that WDFW wants these meetings kept secret as much as the Tribes do! In fact, at the Olympia meeting, I asked one of the WDFW staff if he would sign the petition. He kind of sneered and said "Why? I already get to attend the meetings." It's that kind of dismissive attitude from WDFW senior leadership that permeates the entire department. THEY FEEL BETTER AND WISER THAN US! Although Dir. Unsworth has stated publicly that he supports having the meetings open, the Departments stand has been that the Tribes will not allow it. In fact, that IS their position, that they cannot do anything because the Tribes don't answer to WDFW, or anyone else for that matter. As long as WDFW is fighting against us, are willing to run interference and be the mouth piece for the Tribes, we are caught in a loop of finger pointing. To date, we have no one in authority over WDFW or the Tribes willing to take a hard stand and get involved. It's truly a "Good ol boys" club, and the citizens of this state are NOT WELCOME! It's clear that the department and the NWIFC could care less about the largest stakeholder in this state (and the largest source of money). As far as bringing this issue to WA state officials. It's almost impossible to find anyone who is not getting some sort of "benefit" from the Tribes. Anyone who is in any sort of position that would be able to influence the Tribes, has apparently already been taken care of by the Tribes and is unwilling to "upset" that little sweet deal! This States 600 thousand plus recreational license holders had better wake up and get involved, and I mean past just signing a petition. Otherwise, accept that we will continue to lose what little we still have and have no one to blame but ourselves.