Billy Frank Jr., 1931-2014. Photo from Facebook
Gyasi Ross pays tribute to the late treaty rights advocate Billy Frank Jr.:
When I met Uncle Billy, he was already an international human rights/civil rights icon. I was fortunate to know a lot of folks from Franks Landing and Wa He Lut Indian School as a child; my brother Adochas and Spappy introduced me to their parents, the late, great Allison Bridges Gottfriedson (a powerful activist in her own right) and also Hank Gottfriedson, and they are all part of Uncle Billy’s immediate family. It made sense—Allison and family are all incredible, generous and powerful people. Like Uncle Billy. Being powerful and principled is a family value for members of the Franks Landing Indian Community. They are all incredible Native people who taught me what Native power could look like. The folks from Franks Landing later introduced me to Uncle Billy. When I met him, I was in awe. Like the Scottish warriors in “Braveheart,” I expected Billy Frank to be seven feet tall, consume his enemies with fireballs from his eyes, and bolts of lightning from his arse. But instead, there was this little, silver-haired Native man with an ever-present wool hat and a vest on. Superman’s costume—it worked perfectly.Get the Story:
Gyasi Ross: Billy Frank Jr.: An Indigenous Legend and One of the Best Human Beings Ever (Indian Country Today 5/13) Also Today:
Washington tribal rights leader dies at 83 (The North County Outlook 5/14) Related Stories:
Opinion: Billy Frank's fight for treaty rights was about civil rights (5/13)
Thousands pay tribute to treaty rights advocate Billy Frank Jr. (5/12)
Editorial: Billy Frank Jr. was a true American civil rights leader (5/12)
Ernie Stevens: Billy Frank Jr. removed the hands of oppression (5/9)
Opinion: Billy Frank Jr. was a Nelson Mandela for the Northwest (5/9)
Squaxin Island Tribe to webcast funeral services for Billy Frank (5/9)
Mark Trahant: Billy Frank Jr. was a rebel who was always happy (5/8)
Cynthia Iyall: Billy Frank was legendary figure in Indian Country (5/8)
Editorial: Billy Frank Jr. changed the fishing debate in Northwest (5/8)
Billy Frank to be laid to rest at Chief Leschi Cemetery on Sunday (5/7)
Nation mourns passing of treaty rights advocate Billy Frank Jr. (5/6)
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Ryan Wilson: Indian Country loses a great warrior in Billy Frank (5/6)
Treaty rights advocate Billy Frank Jr. passes away at age of 83 (5/5)
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