Recently, Mr. Willie Frank appeared in a video about the need for cooperation in the North of Falcon negotiations.  Saying that tough times are ahead for our salmon and the decisions made to help protect them.

Mr. FRANK'S Video

We cannot agree more.  Yet, without TRUST, the cooperations that Mr. Frank speaks of needing, is near impossible.

Like the Vice Chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC), Mr. Yanity: Mr. Frank's plea's for more cooperation ring hollow as long as there is no real transparency, no trust and a continuation of making harvest decisions BEHIND LOCK DOORS.

We took the opportunity to send a message to Mr. Frank.  It is our hope that he, and other more committed leaders in our First Nation's communities, will see how harmful the decisions of the NWIFC are too true trust building and cooperation.  And will do something to end the secret meetings.

Here is our message:

Mr. Frank,

We cannot agree with you more. Our salmon do not have time for roadblocks to cooperation. However, there must be trust before cooperation can take root.

That is why we are asking you, and other committed Tribal leaders to speak to the Leadership of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission to end the insistence on the public prohibition to the negotiations within the North of Falcon.

We understand that these are Government to Government meetings, and that in the past one observer violated the trust of Chair Loomis. But we are sure you will agree that the problem facing our salmon, and the cooperation needed far outweighs any past grievances.

Refusing to allow all citizens from having first hand knowledge of the harvest decision process is causing a very large rift between our two communities. It is seen as a matter of trust. After all, the appearance of keeping the doors locked is that there is something to hide. We're sure you can see that.

This request is not about trying to reduce any treaty rights, or end any tribal fishing...it is about trust and cooperation, just as you are speaking about in the film.

Just as you used the video to reach thousands, we propose a live stream video to broadcast the meetings. It would allow all citizens to see how hard everyone is working to save our salmon, and it would not interfere in the meetings at all.

Please, reflect on how vital trust is between our communities, and envision how much more we could accomplish by truly working in cooperation with each other.

We must be willing to be fully transparent, regardless how uncomfortable at first, to be able to build that relationship.

Please, help end this roadblock to trust.

With respect.