U.S. House of Representatives
WA District 8
Rep. Kim Schrier
Democrat Nominee
Rep. Schrier was first elected to Congress in 2018. Prior to being elected she spent her career as a pediatrician as she built a pediatricts practice in the District over the past 16 years. She is the daughter of an elementary school teacher and an aerospace engineer. She went to public schools and has degrees in astrophysics and medicine.
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?
The Snoqualmie Tribe has a generations-long history in Puget Sound, and specifically in the watershed of the Snoqualmie River. I know that Snoqualmie Falls is sacred ground for the Snoqualmie Tribe, and I congratulate the Tribe on now legally owning the land. We are connected by our shared commitment to conservation of our most beautiful natural lands in the Northwest.
Q2: What is your experience working with Tribes?
Response:
I’m proud to have met with the Snoqualmie Tribe and other Tribes in the 8th Congressional district during my first term, to learn about our shared concerns and priorities. I look forward to continuing to represent Tribal concerns in Congress.
Q3: What does the ideal government-to-government relationship with tribes look like to you?
Response:
This relationship should be one of mutual respect, particularly from the federal government for the Tribal government and sovereignty. The federal government has a responsibility to uphold promises in treaties with Tribal nations, and I am committed to that work.
Q4: If elected, what would your Indian Country-related goals be?
Response:
I will continue to work towards many of our shared goals which impact Tribal members, including land conservation, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and fighting against work requirements for SNAP recipients. I am passionate about preserving clean water and protecting fish habitat, and look forward to working together on these projects.
Q5: What is your knowledge of tribal treaties and trust obligations?
Response:
Tribal treaties and trust obligations include financial, legal, and moral obligations from the federal government to Tribal nations. Upholding these agreements is critical for maintaining the government-to-government relationship.
Q6: Do you support increasing funding to tribes for services such as health care, cultural resources, and education?
Response:
Yes, now more than ever with tribal communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID pandemic, it is critical that we support tribal healthcare especially. The federal government must uphold the promises made in treaties and agreements around funding for healthcare and education.
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:
It is important in the government-to-government relationship for the federal government and representatives to consult with tribes on matters related to tribal lands and sacred sites. There’s room for improvement in the tribal consultation process to better honor obligations and a more rigorous framework could help, particularly for land development and resource extraction.
Q8: What protections do you believe Tribal cultural resources and sacred sites should have?
Response:
I understand the importance of maintaining the connection to sacred lands and protecting access to traditional lands. I will continue to learn more about the sacred sites in conversation with the Snoqualmie Tribe, and engage on issues related to sacred land and sites.
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:
Acquisition of land in trust is essential to tribal self-determination, and is an important part of the federal government upholding past promises to Tribal nations. I congratulate the Snoqualmie Tribe on the recent acquisition of traditional lands.
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’m proud to have met with the Snoqualmie Tribe to congratulate the Tribe on now officially owning the land around the sacred site of Snoqualmie Falls. It is critical for the federal government and representatives to engage with impacted tribes on issues related to sacred land and sites and I look forward to continuing to be a partner in meaningful engagement and consensus building.
Jesse Jensen
Republican Nominee
Jensen grew up in South Dakota and attended George Washington University majoring in Political Science. He served in the military and attended graduate school earning his Masters in business from Columbia University in New York. Post-graduation he moved to Bonney Lake where he now lives.
