Where the Salmon Run

Billy Frank Jr. was an early participant in the fight for tribal fishing rights during the 1960s. Roughed up, belittled, and handcuffed on the riverbank, he emerged as one of the most influential Northwest Indians in modern history. His efforts helped bring about the 1974 ruling by Federal Judge George H. Boldt affirming Northwest tribal fishing rights and allocating half the harvestable catch to them. Today, he continues to support Indian country and people by working to protect salmon and restore the environment.Where the Salmon Run tells the life story of Billy Frank Jr., from his father's influential tales, through the difficult and contentious days of the Fish Wars, to today. Based on extensive interviews with Billy, his family, close advisors, as well as political allies and former foes, and the holdings of Washington State's cultural institutions, we learn about the man behind the legend, and the people who helped him along the way.

Heffernan's conversational writing style moves readers fluidly from the distant past through the turbulent times of the 1960s and the 1970s to the calmer waters of the present., The photographs and personal stories alone make it worth an interested reader's time., Trova has done a good job getting the reader into the narrative flow of Frank's admirable life; she's not afraid of quoting people who pull no punches., Heffernan talked to all the right people to write this book, from fellow Indian rights warrior Hank Adams to Franks's son, Willie Frank III . . . Heffernan caught up with Frank six times for face-to-face interviews filled with candor, insight and patchwork quotes only Frank could knit together., Heffernan’s biography of Billy Frank, Jr., is a lively and recommended addition to the growing scholarship on Native American salmon fishing rights in the Pacific Northwest and joins Charles Wilkinson’s Messages from Frank’s Landing (2000) as one of the key books on Frank and his widespread influence….Frank and his allies’ voices shine throughout the book, and their vivid anecdotes and vibrant quotations make for a very compelling history.

Trova Heffernan is director of the Legacy Project and the creative director of the Heritage Center in the Washington State Office of the Secretary of State.