2020 Voters Guide
District 39 Rep 2
Ryan Johnson
Prefers Democratic Party
Johnson is a Navy Veteran and a former Aircraft Mechanic and Truck Driver. He has been a Teamster since 2004.
Responses to Tribe's Questions
To read about this candidate’s responses to the Snoqualmie Tribe’s questions, click through each question below.
Q1: What do you know about the Snoqualmie Tribe?
Response:
I have not had much personal contact with Sonoqualmie tribal members outside of delivering to and going to the casino a couple of times. I do know they were one of the original signatories of the Point Elliot Treaty, and that some of Snoqualmie Tribe moved up to the Tulalip reservation.
Q2: What is your experience working with Tribes?
Response:
I have extensive experience working with individuals and projects on the Tulalip reservation. The company I used to work for made all the concrete block for the Tulalip casino, I delivered a ton of it. We also made the block for the community center, I delivered most of that myself. I also have a ton of residential deliveries on the Tulalip reservation as well. At my current job, we haul all the Christmas trees for the Tulalip “Festival of Trees” every year, about half of those go to various tribal agencies on the Tulalip reservation.
I also have fairly extensive experience with delivering on the Lummi Reservation. I can’t think of any problems I have ever had with anyone on any reservation, ever, and I am literally speaking of at least 1000 deliveries. The people are always nice and respectful, which is far more than I can say for those not on reservations.
I do admire the way the tribes try to take care of their own, I wish the people of this country had the same goal as a whole.
Q3: What does the ideal government-to-government relationship with tribes look like to you?
Response:
A relationship where everyone uses each other to further their goals, instead of placing one group ahead of another. I don’t see much good in the state/feds being against the tribes, or the other way around. Everybody should be working together to make everyone’s lives/goals better, not fighting for one side or the other to “win” something.
Q4: If elected, what would your Indian Country-related goals be?
Response:
While I don’t have any specific Indian Country related goals in mind, my job as a legislator is to make the lives better for all people in any way I can. Feel free to lobby me to help me achieve your goals
Q5: What is your knowledge of tribal treaties and trust obligations?
Response:
Very little, outside of what info I looked up to answer this question. I know that the federal government has largely failed to live up to its obligations, even though its obligations have been made very clear through both Supreme Court cases and federal legislation.
Q6: Do you support increasing funding to tribes for services such as health care, cultural resources, and education?
Response:
I would need more specific information on this question to answer it correctly, but in general, I support more funding for cultural resources, health care, and education for all. I love history, and think the more we learn about it the better off we are, so I am a big supporter of increasing funding for cultural resources to teach history.
Q7: What do you know about free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC)? If elected, would you advocate for these principles to be included in legislation and policy?
Response:
I had to look this term up as well, but as a general rule, I would absolutely support FPIC. As I have already stated, I love history, and would hate to see it destroyed to build another housing development.
Q8: What protections do you believe Tribal cultural resources and sacred sites should have?
Response:
While I believe this would have to be examined on a case by case basis, I am generally on your side of the issue when it comes to protecting resources and sacred sites. I believe the tribes have proven they will do a far better job taking care of these sites and resources far better than any government will.
Q9: What do you believe is the best role of government in the fee to trust process for tribes to gain jurisdiction over their traditional lands?
Response:
I don’t think I’m qualified to answer this question. I had to look up what fee to trust is, and I think that the tribes are far more qualified to answer this question than myself.
Q10: What do you know about the Snoqualmie Tribe's sacred site, Snoqualmie Falls? Do you support the Tribe's right to have a say in any future decisions made on its sacred site, including hydropower licensing?
Response:
I have been to Snoqualmie Falls many times, and looked up the cultural significance to the Snoqualmie Tribe on your site. It is an amazing natural resource that should be preserved for all.
Yes, the Tribe should absolutely have a say, and you should get licensing fees from the hydropower.
I would need to hear your goals and ideas on this, but I have no desire to see this site changed any more than it already has been.
Q11: What role, if any, do you feel the State of Washington plays in Treaty Rights disputes?
Response:
I don’t think I am qualified to answer this question. Historically, I personally don’t think any state has treated its tribes well.
Q12: Do you support the Snoqualmie Tribe as a signatory of the Treaty of Point Elliot having equal rights to its fellow treaty signatory tribes?
Response:
Yes, and you should be given representation today as was intended by law in 1855.
Carolyn Eslick
Prefers Republican Party
Eslick has served as State Representative since 2017, and serves on the House Transportation, Capital Budget, Human Services & Early Learning and Arts Committees. She was the Mayor of Sultan from 2010 to 2017, and City Councilmember from 1995 to 2001. She is the Founder and past Executive Director of Grow Washington, and she served as the Deputy Director of the Northwest Women’s Business Center.
