
Fight Over Sovereign Tribal Rights Spanning U.S. – Canada Border Could Be Nearing End
Listen
Tribal members are waiting for the next move from British Columbia’s provincial government in a long-running battle over sovereign rights. Last month, a British Columbia Supreme Court judge ruled against the province, siding with a Washington man in an illegal hunting case.
Rick Desautel is one of roughly 4,000 Sinixt tribal members who live on the Colville reservation in northeastern Washington state. Sinixt traditional lands extend from the reservation north into British Columbia.
Desautel was charged after he hunted elk illegally in British Columbia, where the tribe has been declared extinct. He argues he has a right to hunt on his ancestral lands.
The case has dragged on for nearly a decade. Two courts have sided with Desautel, including the provincial Supreme Court in December.
Defense Attorney Mark Underhill hopes it’s the end of the legal fight.
“I think what the courts have said at least indirectly, if not directly, is it’s time to sit down and talk about reconciliation with the Sinixt rather than furthering a legal battle that in my respectful view is a losing one,” Underhill said.
British Columbia’s Prosecution Service says “no decision has been made regarding an appeal. The government has until January 28 to decide.
Related Stories:

Artificial intelligence helps Northwest scientists better understand wildfire emissions
Late afternoon light catches smoke from the Cold Springs Fire near a structure that appeared to be empty long before the fire, Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, near Omak, Washington. CREDIT:… Continue Reading Artificial intelligence helps Northwest scientists better understand wildfire emissions

Foam dock floats, laundry filters, hotel shampoo amongst newest bids to reduce plastic pollution
Everywhere they look, Pacific Northwest scientists find teeny-tiny plastic pollution. Broken down particles are in our water, falling out of the air, in salmon, shellfish and in our own bodies. Scientists, environmental advocates and Democratic lawmakers in Olympia and Salem have seen enough to make them seek more regulations. Continue Reading Foam dock floats, laundry filters, hotel shampoo amongst newest bids to reduce plastic pollution

Clean energy project proposal in the Columbia Basin generates controversy and support
Driving a long gravel road on a tour of the Horse Heaven Hills. Fallow fields and wheat with mountains in the distance. (Credit: Dori Luzzo Gilmour / NWPB) Listen (Runtime… Continue Reading Clean energy project proposal in the Columbia Basin generates controversy and support