"Oh God, here comes Esther Ross." Such was the greeting she received from members of the U.S. Congress during her repeated trips to the Capitol on behalf of Stillaguamish Indians. Tenacious and passionate, Esther Ross’s refusal to abandon her cause resulted in federal recognition of the Stillaguamish Tribe in 1976. Her efforts on behalf of Pacific Northwest Indians at federal, state, and local levels led not only to the rebirth of the Stillaguamish but also to policy reforms affecting all Indian tribes.
In this rare, in-depth portrait of a contemporary American Indian woman, Robert H. Ruby and John A. Brown document Ross’s life and achievements. At the turn of the twentieth century, the Stillaguamish tribe, located on the Puget Sound in Washington State, had all but disappeared. With no organization or system of communication, tribal members dispersed. Desperate for help, surviving members asked Ross, a young, well-educated descendant of Stillaguamish and Norwegian heritage, to assist them in suing for lost land and government services. For fifty years, she waged a persistent campaign, largely self-staffed and self-funded. Despite personal problems, cultural barriers, and reluctance among some tribal members, Ross succeeded, but she was eventually forced from tribal leadership.
List of Illustrations ix Foreword xi LaDonna Harris Introduction xv Alan Stay Jay Miller Preface xxi List of Abbreviations and Acronyms 2(1) The California Years 3(10) Stillaguamish: The Land and the People 13(10) The Stillaguamish: A Tribe Reborn 23(3) Duality: Tribal and Domestic Affairs 26(7) The Nomadic Years 33(10) Claims: Land Losses and Family Losses 43(15) Fish Wars: The Courts and the Rivers 58(6) Esther Meets the Rebel General 64(10) The Poor Peoples Campaign 74(5) War Cry along the Stilly 79(8) Legacy of the Dead, Land Base for the Living 87(8) Organization, Disorganization, and Militancy 95(8) Mrs. Ross Goes to Washington--Again 103(6) Half the Salmon: The Boldt Case 109(15) The Boldt Court: The Fallout 124(12) The Push for Recognition 136(9) The Chief and the Wagon Train 145(12) While Waiting for Recognition 157(9) The Case of the Flying Fish 166(4) The Wait Goes On 170(10) A Celebration at Muckleshoot Hall 180(5) Recognition Brings More Troubles 185(13) Calling the Roll: A Troublesome Task 198(10) A War of Words and Wills 208(8) Stratagems for Leadership 216(10) Exit and Exile 226(9) Debility and Denouement 235(11) Epilogue and Retrospect 246(7) Notes 253(40) Bibliography 293(8) Index 301
Robert H. Ruby was both physician and independent scholar. Along with John A. Brown, he was coauthor of numerous books, including Indians of the Pacific Northwest: A History.
John A. Brown was Professor Emeritus of History at Wenatchee Valley College, Washington. He is coauthor of numerous books, including Indians of the Pacific Northwest: A History.
