Tribal Legacy: Willie Frank III on Advancing His Father's Cause

October 29, 2023

Climate Crisis: Tribal Wisdom Offers Hope

In the latest episode of The American Shoreline Podcast, hosts Peter Ravella and Tyler Buckingham sit down with Willie Frank III, Chairman of the Nisqually Tribal Council. A legacy in his own right, Willie is the son of the legendary Native American activist, Billy Frank Jr. The episode explores the rich history of the Nisqually Tribe, including the pivotal moments of the Fish Wars and the transformative impact of Billy Frank Jr. on tribal rights and environmental activism. Willie Frank III discusses how he’s carrying forward his father's legacy through his own leadership. The conversation also explores the Biden administration's initiatives to involve tribal leadership more closely in governance. Finally, we discuss the far-reaching implications that tribal knowledge could have on tackling the climate crisis. Tune in for an in-depth look at past struggles, current initiatives, and future aspirations through the lens of tribal leadership.

Show Transcription
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Peter Ravella & Tyler Buckingham

Peter and Tyler joined forces in 2015 and from the first meeting began discussing a project that would become Coastal News Today and the American Shoreline Podcast Network. At the time, Peter and Tyler were coastal consultants for Pete’s firm, PAR Consulting, LLC. In that role, they worked with coastal communities in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, engaged in grant writing, coastal project development, shoreline erosion and land use planning, permitting, and financial planning for communities undertaking big beach restoration projects. Between and among their consulting tasks, they kept talking and kept building the idea of CNT & ASPN. In almost every arena they worked, public engagement played a central role. They spent thousands of hours talking with coastal stakeholders, like business owners, hotel operators, condo managers, watermen, property owners, enviros, surfers, and fishermen. They dived deep into the value, meaning, and responsibility for the American shoreline, segment-by-segment. Common threads emerged, themes were revealed, differences uncovered. There was a big conversation going on along the American shoreline! But, no place to have it. That's where CNT and ASPN were born.