Save the date for August 19

The Port of Olympia is hosting a ceremony on August 19 at 10 a.m. to pay tribute to environmental leader and treaty rights activist Billy Frank Jr. and present a new series of educational kiosks and interpretive signs that celebrate his achievements.

The ceremony is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Community leaders, elected officials and special guests from the tribal community will also be joining us for this historic event.

We are especially pleased to announce that Chairman Kristopher Peters and the Squaxin Island Tribe will be performing a drum ceremony at the event.

“The Port is excited to share these newly installed signs with the community to honor Billy Frank Jr.’s extraordinary legacy as an activist for tribal rights and environmental justice,” said Executive Director Alex Smith. 

As announced in June, the signs were recently installed along the Billy Frank Jr. trail and in the park terminus, each highlighting a unique aspect of Frank, the Squaxin Island Tribe and the life cycle of salmon. Informational markers were also installed to provide education about the native plants already lining the trail, and to commemorate two Canoe Landings, one by the Squaxin in 2012, and one by the Nisqually Tribe in 2016.

A commitment to inclusion of Native American voices

The event is part of the Port’s support of Native American cultural heritage and its commitment to addressing historical injustices.

“We have so much respect for the rich history and contributions of the Indigenous tribes in our region, and especially for the leadership of Billy Frank Jr. With this installation, we hope to show both our gratitude and our commitment to honoring his legacy as we strive to preserve and protect the environmental resources in our community,” said Smith. 

The Port of Olympia Commission approved the renaming of its East Bay Trail and NorthPoint Park in honor of the late Billy Frank Jr., in partnership with the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Frank Family. After receiving a petition to rename a portion of Marine Drive in honor of the Nisqually leader, Port staff conducted a public review that determined how best to celebrate his life and messages. The trail and the signs resulted.

About Billy Frank Jr.

Billy Frank Jr. was an influential Native American environmental leader and treaty rights activist whose legacy is deeply rooted in his lifelong dedication to protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and the environment. Born in 1931 on the Nisqually Reservation in Washington State, Frank’s activism began at a young age, sparked by his firsthand experiences with the injustices faced by Native American fishermen.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Frank was at the forefront of the “fish wars,” a series of protests advocating for the fishing rights guaranteed to Native American tribes by 19th-century treaties. These efforts resulted in the Boldt Decision of 1974, which reaffirmed the tribes’ rights to half the fish harvest in Washington State. This ruling was a significant victory for Native Americans and environmental stewardship.

Frank’s leadership was seen through his work with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, where he championed sustainable environmental practices and salmon habitat restoration. He is celebrated not only for his contributions to Native American rights but also for his broader impact on environmental policy. His life’s work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for justice, community, and the environment.

Washington state passed legislation in 2021 to send a statue of activist and humanitarian Billy Frank Jr. to National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. The statue is currently slated for installation in 2025.

Where are the signs located?

The kiosk is located in Billy Frank Jr. Park with additional informational markers placed along the Billy Frank Jr. trail that stretches between the corner of East Bay Drive/Olympia Avenue and Billy Frank Jr. Park at NorthPoint (near KGY Radio).  It runs along the shoreline, Swantown Boatworks, Swantown Marina, Olympia Rowing and the former site of Cascade Pole.

For more information and updates, please visit our website at www.portolympia.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.