South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), in collaboration with THE Coalition and Thurston County, invites the community to a special evening of film and conversation titled Fish War: Connecting History to Civic Life and Belonging. The event will take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts (Bldg. 21) on SPSCC’s Olympia Campus. No tickets are required, and all are welcome to attend.
This free, public event features a screening of the documentary FISH WAR, which chronicles the historic struggle of Indigenous tribes in Washington State to uphold their treaty-reserved rights to fish for salmon in their usual and accustomed places. When the state made it illegal for tribes to fish in these areas, it sparked a movement that culminated in a landmark 1974 court case affirming tribal sovereignty and establishing tribes as co-managers of the region’s salmon resources. While the case was a victory for tribal rights, the film also explores the ongoing challenges facing salmon populations and the broader implications for environmental stewardship and civic engagement.
Following the screening, attendees are invited to participate in a community dialogue focused on the intersections of history, civic life, and belonging. The conversation will provide space for reflection and connection, encouraging participants to consider how the legacy of this enduring struggle continues to shape our shared responsibilities and relationships today.
