Media Strategy & Support, Political Strategy, Tribal Engagement

Situation:

A coal export facility is proposed at Cherry Point that would negatively impact the Lummi Nation’s usual and accustomed fishing areas.

Strategies and Tactics:

• Engage local media to frame the issue from the Lummi perspective.
• Enlist regional, national and international tribal support.
• Build relationships with environmental allies.
• Assist with government strategy to secure congressional support.
• Educate tribal members and enlist their help.

Results:

The Lummi Nation made huge progress in its fight to get the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny the permit for the proposed coal terminal. The work has resulted in nearly 400 articles in state and national media outlets, garnered broad support, and built a stronger relationship with the Bellingham Herald, which requested a monthly editorial from the tribe— an invaluable opportunity for the tribe to tell its story in its own words. On May 9, 2016, the Corps denied the permit because the terminal would violate Lummi’s treaty rights. The story of Lummi’s historic victory garnered multiple front-page stories, including the Seattle Times, the Columbian, and Tacoma’s News Tribune.