The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) is a natural resources management support service organization for 20 treaty Indian tribes in western Washington. Headquartered in Olympia, the NWIFC employs approximately 65 people with satellite offices in Burlington and Forks.

NWIFC member tribes are: Lummi, Nooksack, Swinomish, Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, Tulalip, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Nisqually, Squaxin Island, Skokomish, Suquamish, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Makah, Quileute, Quinault, and Hoh.

The NWIFC was created following the 1974 U.S. v. Washington ruling (Boldt Decision) that re-affirmed the tribes’ treaty-reserved fishing rights. The ruling established them as natural resources co-managers with the State of Washington with an equal share of the harvestable number of salmon returning annually.

Read more on our About Us page.

  • Policy Analyst – Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

    December 12, 2016

    Download Announcement The Policy Analyst serves as a liaison/representative for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and under the supervision of the Natural Resources Director, working closely with the Fish Committee, Hunting Committee, the Lower Elwha Tribal Business Committee, and Lower Elwha tribal staff. The Policy Analyst summarizes and analyzes natural resource issues, develops alternative actions […]

  • Habitat Policy Analyst II

    December 12, 2016

    Download Announcement Provide policy analysis, support and coordination on emerging habitat issues for Commission and member tribes to advance habitat protection and restoration objectives necessary to the protection of tribal treaty rights and resources. Analyze, advise and support development of habitat protection approaches to address treaty-resource issues. Assist in the implementation and advancement of the […]

  • Coastal Marine Resource Specialist

    December 2, 2016

    Download Announcement This position will focus primarily on ocean fishery resources and marine issues that affect them. The species involved include all marine species of importance to the coastal tribes that includes, but not limited to the following: flatfish, rockfish, halibut, groundfish (e.g., sablefish, lingcod and Pacific whiting), and forage fish (e.g., sardine and smelt). […]

RSS News from nwtreatytribes.org

  • Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Sees Success with Coho Salmon Transfers
    The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is watching five years of work pay off as coho salmon return to the Elwha watershed after the removal of two dams and extensive restoration work. Since 2011, the tribe, state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympic National Park (ONP) and crews from Washington Conservation Corps have transported adult coho salmon into the […]
  • State of Our Watersheds: Samish Bay Pollution Impedes Tribal Harvest
    Despite the efforts of the Clean Samish Initiative formed in 2009, tribal treaty rights to harvest shellfish in Samish Bay continue to be threatened by poor water quality, as documented in the treaty tribes’ State of Our Watershed Report. Five different tribes have reserved rights to collect fish and shellfish from the bay. Conditions have […]
  • Quick action protects park and salmon habitat
    The post Quick action protects park and salmon habitat appeared first on Northwest Treaty Tribes.