Patagonia: Suing for Survival - Do Skagit River salmon have legal rights?

In its Fall 2023 newsletter, Patagonia published author Jann Eberharter’s article “Suing for Survival: Do Skagit River salmon have legal rights?”

The article focuses on the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe’s first-of-its-kind “rights of salmon” case brought in tribal court. In the case, the Tribe sought the recognition of the samlon’s “inherent rights to exist, flourish, regenerate … and the right of access to their ancestral waters.”

Jack Fiander, Tribal Attorney for the Sauk-Suiattle, explains, “Resolving [the lawsuit] in such a way that the tribe was able to protect the salmon, even if it’s through a settlement or by agreement … makes future cases involving truly advocating for rights of nature easier to present,” Fiander said.

CDER assisted in the litigation. To read the full article, visit here.

Learn more about this case here.