Point No Point Treaty Council

03/18/2026

https://nafws.org/youth-early-professional/national-summer-youth-practicum/

At the time of travel, we do not pay or provide funding for the student’s checked luggage for their airfare. However, after the National SYP, we allow the student/parent or guardian to submit a Luggage Reimbursement Form (attached with luggage receipts), then we send a check for luggage reimbursem...

03/03/2026

On January 30th, 2026, PNPTC held a celebration in honor of its 50th anniversary at the Port Gamble S'Klallam Longhouse. Our founders, current and former employees, board members, staff from our member Tribes and partner organizations came together to celebrate the history and accomplishments of PNPTC over the past fifty years. Guests were welcomed with a blessing and an performance by the S'Klallam Singers. They were treated to a delicious meal of venison stew, geoduck chowder, and fry bread prepared by Port Gamble member Carmen George. Executive Director Randy Harder introduced current staff and board members and honored previous staff and board members who have passed on. Guests watched a short video about PNPTC's history and PNPTC founders Bill Smith, Ron Charles, Randy Harder, and Ron Allen engaged in a panel discussion about the beginnings of the Treaty Council and reflected on the legacy and future of the program. To end the celebration, PNPTC Board members Chris Tom, Josh Chapman, Donovan Ashworth, and NWIFC Chairman Ed Johnstone spoke about PNPTC's evolution, shared memories, and congratulated PNPTC on its 50 year milestone!

We would like to thank everyone who came out to help us celebrate, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe for the use of its beautiful space, Carmen George for feeding everyone, and Sarah Tsistinas of LVF Floral for the beautiful centerpieces.

Photos courtesy of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and PNPTC.

A link to PNPTC's History video is available here: https://youtu.be/6qTSR6454hM

02/13/2026

01/27/2026

https://tribalvoices.salmondefense.org/fish-war-bonus-content-ron-charles-of-the-port-gamble-sklallam-tribe/

Ron Charles from the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe was interviewed for the documentary FISH WAR, which tells the story of the tribes in the Pacific Northwest from treaty times to the modern age of co-management.

01/27/2026

It's Treaty Day for the Point No Point tribes!

The treaty was signed on January 26, 1855 at Hahdskus (also known as Point No Point), Washington Territory, by representatives from the S’Klallam, Chimakum and Skokomish tribes, and Isaac Stevens, then governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Washington Territory.

In 1974, the Boldt Decision reaffirmed that treaties with tribes are “the supreme law of the land” and that these treaties must be honored by the State of Washington. The Treaty of Point No Point protects the sovereignty of the member tribes while also guaranteeing the right to fish, hunt, and gather on their traditional areas off the reservations and the privilege to hunt and gather on open and unclaimed land.

Reproduction of the Treaty of Point No Point courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

01/13/2026

PNPTC Holiday Staff Photo, 2025!

01/05/2026

Working for the Point No Point Treaty Council has given Shannon Boldt a firsthand view of tribal resilience in the face of changing ocean conditions. While the Coast Salish people have adapted to climate fluctuations for millennia, the current accelerated rate of change is significantly impacting local species.

The shellfish industry in the Coast Salish Sea is valued in the millions, and coastal tribes rely on shellfish for both ceremonial and subsistence use. However, due to increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, tribes can no longer rely solely on natural spawning. These changes increase marine acidity, which negatively affects fundamental biological processes in marine organisms, including respiration, calcification, photosynthesis, and reproduction.

To counter these impacts, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has adopted a novel aquaculture process in partnership with an aquaculture facility in Kona Hawaii, managed by Nate Tsao. Shannon traveled to all three key locations—Kona, HI; the Point Whitney shellfish lab; and the Floating Upweller System (FLUPSYS) in John Wayne Marina—to conduct interviews and discuss this process. The process begins with the spawning of the oysters, which takes place at the Point Whitney lab on Hood Canal, managed by Matt Henderson, or at the Kona Hawaii shellfish lab, depending on logistics. Kona, Hawaii offers unique access to deep ocean water for the "setting" process—where the oyster foot connects to the shell, the CO2 affects this stage in development. The oysters remain in Hawaii for four to eight weeks. After the setting period, the oysters are packed up and flown overnight to the Point Whitney lab for further growth before being transferred to the John Wayne Marina in Sequim, Washington. This process grows 50-60 million oysters per year.

Both S’Klallam Tribes operate oyster nurseries utilizing FLUPSYS technology. Julianna Sullivan from Port Gamble shared that her tribe uses the seed for ceremonial and subsistence needs, while Brandon Grinnell from the Jamestown tribe operates the FLUPSY for commercial, ceremonial, and subsistence needs.

11/21/2025

Yesterday, Dylan and Megan delivered nearly 100 pounds of food each to Helpline House and Fishline. Thank you to everyone who donated, and thank you to all of the folks at Fishline and Helpline House who helped us organize and advertise this event. We are wishing you all a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

11/17/2025

We are still accepting donations at our office until we deliver our to Fishline and Helpline House later this week. Here is a list of this week's most needed items!

The holidays are almost here, and we want every family who visits our market to feel the season’s warmth—not just with essentials, but with those little “extras” that make this time special. This week’s most-needed items include brownie and cookie mixes, coffee and tea, and seasonings. Your donations help turn everyday meals into holiday memories—thank you for making it possible!

We accept donations at Fishline from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Visit our website to learn more about giving to Fishline: https://fishlinehelps.org/donate-2/