Fish-ins led by Satiacum and Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually, grow in popularity, drawing national attention as well as Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda and other celebrities. State authorities crack down, complete with surveillance planes and speed boats. U.S. vs. Washington is filed on behalf of tribes and integrity of federal treaties by U.S. Attorney for Western Washington Stan Pitkin, a Nixon administration appointee. Then-state Attorney General Slade Gorton defends the state, which is supported by commercial and sport fishing interests. Boldt divides the case into two phases, the second one later to decide whether the state has a duty to disallow the destruction of salmon habitats.
Boldt decision rules that tribes are entitled to half the region's salmon harvest.
Boldt says the right to fish was extended by non-Indian settlers, and that the federal government must live up up to its promises to maintain the integrity of the treaty process. U.S. Supreme Court upholds the Boldt decision. Private-property owners appeal the 1994 shellfish ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case is pending. Robert McClure Michael Barber contributed to this report.