U.S. House of Representatives
WA District 10
Marilyn Strickland
Democrat Nominee
Strickland was born in Seoul, South Korea. If elected, she would be the first African-American to represent Washington State at the federal level, and the first Koren-American woman elected to Congress. She is a graduate of Tacoma Public Schools and has her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Washington. She later earned a MBA from Clark-Atlanta University. She served as Mayor of Tacoma from 2010 to 2018.
Beth Doglio
Democrat Nominee
Beth Doglio has serves as a State Representative since 2017. She is the Vice Chair of the Capital Budget committee and is a member of the LGBTQ Caucus. She moved to Washington State from Indiana in 1987, and served as a community organizer. She was the founding Executive Director of Washington Conservation Voters, she worked at the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) and Audubon Washington. She also volunteered at Noel House Homeless shelter. She moved to Olympia in 1999 where she worked with Washington Toxic Coalition to reduce the use of pesticides in local parks and school playgrounds.
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:
The Snoqualmie have forever lived in the Snoqualmie Valley and signed the Point Elliot Treaty of 1855 giving them treaty rights for hunting and fishing. Federal recognition was lost in the 50s, but has Bureau of Indian Affairs recognition as of 1999. The Tribe is a major economic driver with the Snoqualmie Casino and the Salish Lodge and Spa. The Snoqualmie Falls is a sacred place for the Tribe and the Tribe has a significant interest in the hydro facility and its future. The Snoqualmie Tribe’s recognized treaty rights are currently being challenged in court by other Tribes in Washington.
Q2: What is your experience working with Tribes?
Response:
While working with Climate Solutions as Director of the Power Past Coal Campaign, I partnered with Tribes all along the rail line to stop 7 proposed coal export facilities dead in their tracks. Many of the proposals would have infringed on tribal sovereignty.
As a state legislator I was able to work with the Squaxin Island Tribe on siting a hatchery on the Deschutes and confronted state agencies calling out their inaction and failure to consult and communicate directly with the Tribe. I stood with the Squaxin Tribe in our call to remove the structure at the footsteps of our capital building that dams the Deschutes River and ruins a vital estuary. I also joined Tribal Nations in attempting to block the EPA from lowering fish consumption standards – testifying alongside Department of Ecology Chair Maia Bellon and tribal members from across the region. Additionally, as the Vice Chair of the Capital budget, I advocated for investments for broadband, housing, natural resources, infrastructure, hatchery upgrades and preservation, fish habitat projects, and culvert funding.As a state legislator I committed early to the sports betting bill and never waivered. I worked with tribal advocates on the community solar bill I primed and passed – integrating language opposed by utilities into the bill ensuring Tribal Nations could participate in the program without a third party administrator.
Q3: What does the ideal government-to-government relationship with tribes look like to you?
Response:
In the legislature, I have been a vocal opponent to state agencies who disregard tribal sovereignty — in Congress, I will do the same. To uphold Indian Nations sovereignty, governments must engage in formal consultation around Treaty, statutes and court decisions.
I look to tribes to be partners and direct me in that process. This looks like consulting I engage with tribes from the very beginning when discussing policies that impact them, and working to ensure that all communities are at the table for the entire process. Equally important is respecting the differences among tribes, and knowing that one voice or perspective does not represent all Indigenous people. Nor do all Tribes speak with one voice. The ideal relationship is a strong and fluid partnership between the state and federal government with tribes.
Federal agencies through Executive Order are required to do this and state agencies have a responsibility to do this. I am committed to ensuring this is upheld.
Q4: If elected, what would your Indian Country-related goals be?
Response:
An urgent goal is to pass Savanna’s Act to improve comprehensive data collection and coordination around the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women investigations. Washington State has the second highest number of cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and it’s essential we work to end this scourge of violence against Native women.
I have also called for significant investment in climate adaptation and resiliency measures for Tribal nations and for updating the Coastal Zone Management Act. Together, we will fight to prevent fossil fuel extraction and transportation across sacred and public lands; work to restore populations of salmon, orca, and other wildlife; and reverse existing pollution so we have clean air and clean water for future generations.
Additional priorities include addressing issues of dual taxation, developing infrastructure to meet needs from broadband to roads and bridges, and expanding voting rights in a similar fashion to our work with the Washington Native American Voting Rights Act.
Q5: What is your knowledge of tribal treaties and trust obligations?
Response:
I am fully committed to ensuring that America’s sacred trust and treaty obligations are the law of the land and that they are funded fully. Our full recognition of tribal sovereignty is threatened by the failure of the federal government to honor our commitments to tribal nations.
Q6: Do you support increasing funding to tribes for services such as health care, cultural resources, and education?
Response:
Absolutely. The United States has a longstanding and significant pattern of chronically underfunding tribal communities. Our government has an obligation, both morally and legally, to work to address these wrongdoings, and deliver the support that is needed to Native, Tribal, and Indigenous nations and communities.
I will push to reverse underfunding at the federal level and fight for sustained investments. As we address broad challenges facing our country – including healthcare, climate change, environmental degradation and housing – we must consistently consult with and engage Native communities to form solutions.
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:
Free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) is a key part of respecting tribal sovereignty and to wholly realize self-determination of tribal nations. FPIC allows tribal nations the ability to make decisions about issues that impact them. I will continue to be a steadfast advocate to include FPIC, which is both a right and a principle, to be included in policy.
Q8: What protections do you believe Tribal cultural resources and sacred sites should have?
Response:
The protections of Tribal cultural resources and sacred sites is incredibly important to respecting the culture and history of Tribal nations. Tribes must have a seat at the table when decisions are made about cultural resources and sacred sites. I believe that Tribes should be given control of these lands when and where it is possible — they should have authority over their sacred sites. I have some experience with Section 106 from working on the coal campaign and believe this process is absolutely essential to protecting sacred and cultural resources.
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:
The fee to trust process is critically important to allowing tribes the right to govern their own lands. I believe the federal government has a serious responsibility in facilitating the process of placing lands into trusts — especially when cities, counties, or private entities attempt to seize lands or violate the rights of tribal nations.
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:
First and foremost, I am committed to being a lawmaker that seeks out engagement and participation from tribes when making decisions. My office will be an opening and welcoming place to all people, and I will emphasize my engagement with tribes across my district and across the state. I support the Snoqualmie Tribe’s right to have their voices heard and be central to the decision-making process on hydropower licensing affecting Snoqualmie Falls. If elected, I am committed to being a partner that seeks out feedback and perspectives from the Snoqualmie.