Monday July 20, 2026
Chinook Observer —
A high-stakes battle is heating up between the non-federally recognized Chinook Indian Nation and the Quinault Indian Nation over tribal sovereignty and lucrative fisheries along the Southwest Washington coast and the Columbia River.
Following a federal ruling in the Western District of Washington that blocked an initial Quinault effort to expand their fishing treaty boundaries, the tribe has officially vowed to explore all litigation avenues. The Quinault upped the ante earlier this month by asking the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn that lower court ruling.
“While the Ninth Circuit isn’t being asked to decide fishing boundaries at this stage, its decision could determine whether this litigation proceeds. The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is actively monitoring the case and remains committed to protecting our rights, our sovereignty, and the interests of our Tribal members throughout this process,” the Shoalwater Tribe said.
While Shoalwaters stand to be directly impacted by a successful expansion effort into Willapa Bay, at this time the most bitter dispute is between the Quinault and the Chinook.
This was demonstrated in a June 10 Facebook post by Quinault Chairman Guy Capoeman. His formal Quinault Tribal Council letter to Chinook Chairman Tony Johnson lays bare a deep-seated historical and legal divide regarding federal recognition and territorial waters.