The Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) invite qualified and experienced firms to submit proposals for filming and video editing services for the Billy Frank Jr. Statue Project.
Project background
In 2021, the Legislature passed House Bill 1372, which was then signed by the Governor. This bill states that the Marcus Whitman statue in the national statuary hall collection be replaced with a statue of Billy Frank Jr.
To manage this process, the bill establishes the Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall selection committee. The committee holds meetings to review plans, proposals, and other considerations.
Making a donation
To make a tax deductible donation to Billy Frank Jr. National Statuary Hall Collection Fund, print out a Washington State Treasury donation form and mail a check.
News and updates
Artist Haiying Wu selected to design a Billy Frank Jr. statue for National Statuary Hall
Call for Artists | RFQ | ArtsWA seeks artist submissions for the design of Billy Frank Jr. statue for National Statuary Hall
In 2021, Governor Inslee signed into law House Bill 1372, which states that the Marcus Whitman statue in the National Statuary Hall collection be replaced with a statue of Billy Frank Jr.
Sign up for updates
Interested in learning more about the Billy Frank Jr. Statue Project? Sign up below to receive updates about the statue design, installation, and events.
Committee meetings
Upcoming meetings:
There are currently no scheduled meetings.
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Click here to read the agenda
Friday, April 22, 2022 | Art selection subcommittee | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Click here to read the agenda
Tuesday, May 17, 2022 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Click here to read the agenda
Tuesday, June 14, 2022 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Click here to read the agenda
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Click here to read the agenda
Friday, January 13, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Click here to read the agenda
About Billy Frank Jr.
Billy Frank Jr., born on March 9, 1931, on the banks of the Nisqually river in Washington, was a Nisqually tribal member and fought tirelessly to ensure that the United States government would honor the promises made in the treaties with Washington tribes. During his efforts, Billy Frank Jr. was arrested more than 50 times for exercising his treaty-protected right to fish for salmon, the first arrest being when he was 14 years old. He helped to stage “fish-ins” as protests, where he and others demanded that treaty tribes have the right to fish in their usual and accustomed places, a right that had been reserved in the treaty of Medicine Creek. His activism and perseverance paved the way for the “Boldt decision” in United States v. Washington, which affirmed the right of Washington treaty tribes to take up to half of the harvestable salmon in western Washington, reaffirmed tribal treaty reserved rights, and established the tribes as comanagers of the salmon resource.
Billy Frank Jr. dedicated his life advocating for equality, justice, and environmental protections. He fought to protect tribal treaty rights, native cultures and traditions, and the natural resources they are based upon, including fish and shellfish. Despite long-standing persecution, Billy Frank Jr. worked tirelessly to protect salmon for the benefit and enjoyment of all Washingtonians. When salmon populations plummeted toward extinction, eventually to the point of being listed as threatened under the federal endangered species act, Billy Frank Jr. vocally advocated to unify people to reverse the trend. His endless work on salmon recovery was based on inclusivity and an understanding that tribal treaty rights will help recover salmon and would benefit the entire society and the economy in enumerable ways.
In recognition of his distinguished accomplishments, Billy Frank Jr. was awarded the Albert Schweitzer prize for humanitarianism, the common cause award for human rights efforts, the American Indian distinguished service award, the Washington state environmental excellence award, and the Wallace Stegner award. Billy Frank Jr. was posthumously awarded the presidential medal of freedom by President Barack Obama.
Billy Frank Jr.’s unwavering commitment to the fight for equality and the fight against racism and abuse was of global influence. He has been likened to other humanitarians and civil rights leaders such as Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Nelson Mandela. Billy Frank Jr. passed away on May 5, 2014, but he continues to be an inspiration to many domestically and abroad. He is a significant historical and civil rights figure who is worthy of recognition and inclusion in the national statuary hall collection.
Photo courtesy of This is Indian Country, licensed via Creative Commons.