I've read a lot of sensible credible takes on this issue within this thread here. From Letty Potter's wisdom, to Cedar, Corky, C&D, Os, SZ, Dan S.,etc., we can begin to see the complexities and differing views of this situation. And with nothing personal against any individual Native American, AT ALL, I do think they should see the credibility in what some of us are saying about the unfair allocations accorded the Indians, based on a non-existant past. In particularly, Dan O.'s post really puts that into proper perspective; the limited importance of who occupied land, and even where that land was, before all of us present surviving human beings existed! - A couple other clarifications may be needed here? Ob., wasn't it a war of power position negotiations that the West. WA Tribes apparently had lost before we all existed? Now, weak minded rep.s of the U.S. gov. are losing a negotiating war over fish with the present day Tribes. And most of us sportfishers don't agree with it, but aren't allowed a fair voice in it. And here's another often mentioned item that simply seems so non-sensicle to me that I guess I need clarification! Hohwaiian, you stated that "we" (whoever that is) have pushed the Skoks onto a small patch of land. To my understanding they aren't being held prisoners there. Correct? I think that they are allowed the same freedoms that all the rest of us multi-ethnic Americans have; to go anywhere away from that "patch" that they have the courage and fortitude to go. And to work and live anywhere they want with the same rights as the rest of us! Correct? But do they afford us the same rights and fairnesses on their land, and with our fish? Very obvioiusly not! - RT

[This message has been edited by Reel Truth (edited 08-25-2000).]