By Omari Salisbury

The Nooksack 306, a group of Indigenous families in Washington state, are facing an impending humanitarian crisis according to Gabe Galanda, an Indigenous rights lawyer representing the Nooksack 306, who has been sounding the alarm for twelve years, warning of human rights violations and imminent displacement of these families from their ancestral homes on Nooksack tribal lands.

Evictions Expected After Thanksgiving

According to Galanda, the Nooksack 306 families are likely to receive eviction orders from a tribal court on November 15th, giving them just two weeks to vacate their homes. Galanda predicts that the families will be forced to leave their homes on Friday, November 29th, the day after Thanksgiving, or face removal by armed tribal police that holiday weekend or in early December.

A 12-Year Saga of Disenrollment and Political Machinations

This crisis is the culmination of a twelve-year saga that began with disenrollment, a controversial practice where tribal members are stripped of their tribal affiliation. Galanda explains that this practice has been weaponized within the Nooksack tribe to consolidate power and wealth among a select group of tribal politicians and their supporters.

"What the Nooksack politicians are fighting over are what I call goodies - jobs, tribal vehicles, homes... They're fighting to concentrate those goodies and those monies and those things with those who remain Nooksack - with their political allies," Galanda states, highlighting the stark contrast between the motivations of the tribal politicians and the Nooksack 306 families who are simply fighting for their right to belong.

Broken Promises and Political Inaction

The situation is further exacerbated by the involvement of federal and state funds in the development of the housing program on the reservation. These funds came with promises to uphold civil and human rights, promises that Galanda argues have been blatantly violated.

Despite the gravity of the situation and condemnation from the United Nations, politicians at both the state and federal levels have been reluctant to intervene, citing concerns about tribal sovereignty. Galanda expresses his deep frustration with this political inaction, stating, "Almost every single Washington state Democrat who advocates for low-income housing or home ownership policy has looked away because they are afraid of somehow being seen as affronting tribal sovereignty."

The Human Cost of Political Indifference

As the eviction date of November 29th looms, the Nooksack 306 families remain resolute in their determination to stay on their ancestral lands. Galanda conveys their unwavering resolve, stating, "They have resolved... that all 300 of them are going to stand with these seven families... and for a broader group of over sixty family members who could all be targeted with eviction and exile."

The situation underscores the urgent need to address the complex intersection of tribal sovereignty, human rights, and political power. The Nooksack 306's plight serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political indifference and the urgent need for justice and accountability.

Call to Action

Galanda urges concerned citizens to contact their elected officials, including Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, to demand action to prevent these unjust evictions. Each politician has the legal authority to stop the evictions, he explains. The Nooksack 306 families need our support and solidarity in their fight for their homes, their heritage, and their human rights.