One of the main reasons people flock to western Washington is because of Puget Sound. The Sound is home to diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery.
Robert Satiacum is part of the Puyallup Tribe. He’s one of many in the Native American culture that look at this body of water, also known as the Salish Sea, with a sense of pride.
“It’s here, it’s truth, it’s transparency, it’s the giver of life,” Satiacum said.
Native Americans have lived near the Salish Sea for generations. It’s been a source of healing, a source of nourishment, and a source of spirituality.
Now there's concern for its health. This water is affected by climate change and human industry.
Many individuals are looking to those government officials to help invoke change. But Satiacum says the answer to this change comes from all of us.
Satiacum spends a lot of his time bringing awareness of the problem to government officials, communal gatherings and other public events.
“So why am I doing this? Because me, my family, my wife, my peoples, the people that are here, we are people of the water we say,” Satiacum said. “We are people of the water. We are people of the orca. We are people of the salmon. So, when they go, then what are we?”