HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2002-4727, by Representative Morris

      WHEREAS, The Samish Nation regained its federal recognition from the United States in 1996, and is the descendent entity of the large and powerful Samish Nation which was a signatory to the Treaty of Point Elliot in 1855; and

      WHEREAS, The Samish Nation is respected for their spiritual strength and is a strong and committed tribe, continually building their tribal identity, and contributing to the cultural diversity of Washington State; and

      WHEREAS, The Samish have been tremendous stewards of the environment and have shared this devotion with the people of Washington State; and

      WHEREAS, Orca whales are one of the premier icons of the Pacific Northwest, and represent the vibrancy of marine life in Puget Sound; and

      WHEREAS, The population of the three pods which make up the resident Orca population in Puget Sound has dropped from 99 Orca whales in 1995 to 78 in 2002; and

      WHEREAS, As an example of their special relationship with the environment, the Samish people have traditionally considered Orca whales as members of the Samish Nation; and

      WHEREAS, A male Orca calf born in January 2001 to the resident J-Pod of Puget Sound was officially named at a traditional Samish Nation Potlatch naming ceremony; and

      WHEREAS, As part of the naming ceremony, and in an effort to preserve their oral tradition, the Samish Nation honored the Washington State House of Representatives by inviting one of its members to witness the potlatch and spread the word of the naming to other members of the House of Representatives; and

      WHEREAS, The calf's name is Hy'Shqa, which means "blessing" or "thank you" in the Coastal Salish language, the language of the Samish Nation;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the Samish Nation for its continuing efforts to preserve and protect a Washington State treasure, the Orca whale; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Samish Tribal Council.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      4727 Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives

                        February 28, 2002.

                   _____________________________

                   Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk