Forty years ago the twenty treaty tribes in western Washington reaffirmed their treaty fishing rights and established themselves as co-managers of the natural resources with the state of Washington. In 1975, those tribes partnered to form the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, a support service organization whose mission “is to assist member tribes in their role as natural resources co-managers. The commission provides direct services to tribes in areas such as biometrics, fish health and salmon management to achieve an economy of scale that makes more efficient use of limited federal funding. The NWIFC also provides a forum for tribes to address shared natural resources management issues and enables the tribes to speak with a unified voice.”
Working primarily out of offices at 6730 Martin Way East in Olympia, the NWIFC facilitates an array of services. Intergovernmental Affairs Policy Advisor Justin Parker explains that they work for tribes, collaborate with federal and state agencies, monitor fish health at salmon hatcheries, and provide legal and technical development assistance to tribal policy makers. He also speaks at schools and community meetings across the state.
The NWIFC’s Information and Education Services Division coordinates to produce “news releases to inform and educate the public about the natural resource management activities of the tribes, and responds to numerous information requests from agencies, organizations and the public. The division also produces a variety of publications, such as the quarterly Northwest Treaty Tribes magazine, as well as videos and educational exhibits.”
The organization’s civic and community pride echoes that of Michael Steadman and Steadman Properties, from whom their current landlord purchased their Olympia offices. The NWIFC also leases office space from Steadman in neighboring buildings. Parker knows Michael Steadman both professionally and personally and admires his passion for veterans and active-duty servicemen as well as clients past and present.
“Any time we’ve had a problem, he says ‘we’ll take care of it’ and not all landlords are like this,” says Parker. “He’s helped as our organization has grown and that service goes a long way.”
On a personal note, when Parker moved to Thurston County from the Washington coast, he laughingly complained to Steadman about this area’s comparative heat. With a simple ‘I’ve got a buddy who can help…’ Steadman arranged for air conditioning to be installed at Parker’s home for a discounted rate. These friendly connections and a ready willingness to tackle any problem perfectly illustrate the partnerships of Steadman Properties and the NWIFC.
For additional details on services provided by the Commission, visit their online Publications library or informational video page. You can contact their Olympia offices by calling 360-438-1180 or emailing contact@nwifc.org.
American businessman James Cash Penney once said that “growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.” Whether state-wide intertribal partnerships like the NWIFC or a longtime landlord/tenant friendship, expansion and success are always the end result.
Contact Steadman Properties with questions about commercial property leasing at 360-493-1384.
