On Friday, November 14, 2025, Meaningful Movies Project hosted a community screening of FISH WAR at the Shoreline College Theatre. The 320-seat venue was nearly full as Native elders, students, and community members gathered for an evening focused on treaty rights, history, and shared responsibility.
“We reached out to the Native community, and they answered with generosity and strength. This event was made possible through meaningful partnerships with Native leaders, artists, and families who shared their voices, culture, and stories.
We were thrilled with the turnout and with the collaborations formed alongside Shoreline College, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, the Muckleshoot Tribe, and other surrounding tribes. The community showed their support by packing Shoreline’s theater, and we continue to receive positive feedback from those who attended and helped bring the event to life. It brings us a lot of joy knowing that we helped to strengthen the ties in the Native American community, further educating non-Natives on important historical events while building a bridge of friendship and compassion.”
– Melinda Raebyne, MMP Executive Director
About the Film
FISH WAR documents the struggle known as the “fish wars” in Washington state. When the state sought to prevent tribes from fishing in their usual and accustomed places, tribal leaders organized to defend their treaty-reserved rights. The film follows that fight and the landmark 1974 court ruling that affirmed those rights and established tribes as co-managers of salmon and other natural resources.
The documentary also highlights ongoing challenges facing salmon in the Pacific Northwest and the continued importance of tribal-state co-management. Watching the film alongside leaders who participated in these events added depth and perspective to the experience.
Event Highlights
Planning for the event began in May 2025 in partnership with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. From the outset, the goal was to create more than a film screening. The evening included cultural elements and opportunities for community engagement.
Before the film, Native artisans sold handmade items and salmon in the lobby, creating space for conversation and direct support of Indigenous artists.
Stephanie James of the Muckleshoot Tribe opened the program with a welcoming. The Muckleshoot Canoe Family performed an opening song and returned at the end of the evening to close the event, grounding the gathering in tradition.
The film was especially meaningful with several activists featured in the documentary present in person. The Native drummers created a powerful atmosphere, and the interaction among vendors, elders, students, and community members reflected a shared commitment to learning about this history.
Post Film Discussion
Following the screening, Ramona Bennett, Ed Johnstone, and Rodney Sisson participated in a panel discussion and Q&A.
Ramona Bennett began by reading excerpts from her book Fighting for the Puyallup Tribe. The panel then addressed audience questions about the risks taken during the fish wars, the significance of the 1974 ruling, and the ongoing work of protecting salmon and treaty rights.
The full theater and thoughtful discussion underscored the importance of continuing to learn from this history and from the leaders who shaped it.
Looking Ahead
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the evening. The strong turnout and engaged discussion demonstrated the value of bringing community together around meaningful stories, and we look forward to seeing you at a future event.
About Our Speakers
Ramona Bennett, Puyallup Tribal Elder, has left her mark as an iconic leader paving the way for other female activists. Her legendary work as an activist for Indigenous rights began in the 1960s and continues today. Ramona began serving on the Puyallup Council in 1968. In 1970, she was elected tribal chairwoman. She is known for Indian Fishing Rights and reclaiming the Indian Hospital and its property in 1976 for the Puyallup Tribe. She is also widely respected within the Indian community for her work in securing Native Child Welfare Rights.
Ed Johnstone has been chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission since 2021, having served as treasurer from 2009 to 2021. Johnstone served as the Quinault Indian Nation’s commissioner to the NWIFC from 2000 to 2022. He was also Quinault’s fisheries policy spokesperson and has extensive experience in the management of salmon, steelhead, crab, clams, black cod, and halibut.
Rodney Sisson is a Puyallup tribal elder, veteran, and fisherman. He serves as the Puyallup Tribe’s resource policy representative.
About Our Partners
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe composed of descendants of the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup Peoples who inhabited Central Puget Sound for thousands of years before non-Indian settlement.
Shoreline College offers accessible, high-quality education and workforce training that empowers students for success. Rooted in a commitment to diversity, equity, and community engagement, the college fosters an educational environment that contributes to the enrichment of both local and global communities.
The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) is a support service organization for the 20 treaty Indian tribes in western Washington that are co-managers of the region’s salmon and other natural resources with the state of Washington. NWIFC provides services to tribes in areas such as fisheries management, habitat protection, and fish health.
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