The Commission meeting was a success in terms of getting our message front and center. We provided testimony on both days, explaining to the Commissioners our frustration over the Secret Meetings, and letting them know we are counting on them to work toward a resolution. For those of you who have not attended a Commission meeting, I can tell you, they take care of an awful lot of business at these meetings. It is fast and furious. I can also tell you that we have a great group of Commissioners, whom are very dedicated to our fisheries. In some respects, many are as frustrated as we with the current situation. Although we are currently at a stand still with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and their refusal to allow even a small video camera in the meetings (Look closely at the picture above, see the video camera in the Commission meeting?), we're encouraged by the reception and comments we received from the Commission. We’ve asked the Commission to form a committee to begin formally working on this, and explore ways to resolve this issue. We have also sent another letter to Chair Loomis, NWIFC, again explaining the harm they are creating to our working relationship and to the trust needed to truly have cooperation. It is our hope that the Commission will also reach out to Chair Loomis and begin some dialogue. Here is the letter we sent to NWIFC Chair: Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Chairperson, Lorraine Loomis 6730 Martin Way E, Olympia, WA 98516 Chair Loomis, 27 July, 2017 I implore you to take a moment and read this letter. As you suggested we have taken the issue back to Director Unsworth at the WDFW. I’ve attached a copy of his response. We are at a crossroads. Both in the salvation of our fish, and in the direction future cooperation in that effort will proceed. We fully agree with both yours and Director Unsworth’s statements that cooperation between us is vitally essential on this path to recover our salmon. It will take a monumental effort to combat the forces that are working against us At the heart of that cooperation is trust! Without trust, suspicion and conflict multiply. Once lost, trust is very difficult to regain. We are also at a crossroads in our relationship with the tribes. As our resources are reduced, there are smaller pieces of the pie and without a transparent plan and everyone working together valuable time is spent working against each other. There are over six hundred thousand sports anglers in this state. A vast majority understand your sovereignty and support your treaty rights. These sportsmen value our wildlife as much as your tribal members and work hard to protect them. We also value the hard work you and all the tribes have and continue to do to protect them as well. Imagine how much more we can accomplish if we were working hand in hand. Not Government Agency to Government Agency, but people to people! Unfortunately, the reality, as harsh as it is, is there is a lack of trust. Trust that as we said is essential to cooperation. If Director Unsworth has correctly stated your position, that the NWIFC with agreement of the treaty tribes are opposing transparency, then I ask you to consider the damage it is doing to the trust that is so important to our fish. By steadfastly refusing to allow the people to view these proceedings you foster suspicion and allow speculation which then translates to hearsay and gossip. You mention being “mischaracterized” as a reason for not allowing any observers. By refusing to have a live broadcast, it is in fact causing more mischaracterizing. Chair Loomis, I do not mean to lecture. I merely want to stress how very important a small gesture of “cooperation” would go in these difficult times. We truly need to take some of the bureaucracy out of our fisheries and replace it with relationships between those stakeholders who have the most to lose. Working together, side by side rather than standing outside a locked room wondering what’s going on inside. I know you are working hard to protect our fish, open these proceedings and allow the people to see, first hand that great work. Please, consult with the Tribal Elders and with Director Unsworth and lets do the right thing to bring trust back into our fisheries. I will post a copy of this letter on our petition so the over four thousand signature supporters will be able to see we have again reached out to you. A copy will also be circulated state wide so all sports anglers will have an opportunity for hope. Respectfully, Perry Menchaca Citizen Sportsmen Open Tribal/WDFW NOF END OF LETTER It is our hope we will soon receive some encouraging news from our Commission. Stay in the fight, we are being heard.