User:Choag96/David Sohappy

David SoHappy
"souihappie" Otherwise known as David SoHappy a U.S. Army veteran and Wanapum fishing activist (1925–1991) became renown for defying laws implemented by the states of Oregon and Washington. Bringing the issue of treaty violation to the forefront of conversation believing that himself and other natives rights were being infringed upon. Having all of it culminate into a federal trial involving the case Sohappy vs. Smith and U.S. v. Oregon which in end favored SoHappy and the tribes. Completing his objective of allowing his tribal tradition of fishing to continue uninfringed. The U.S. government stating that they must guarantee the treaty tribes a "fair and equitable share" of the salmon runs, and that the tribes must be allowed meaningful participation in the rule-making process.

Belloni Decision
In the 1960s, the tension between the tribes and the state and federal government increased. The  governments felt that they controlled the fisheries and the local tribe felt that their treaty rights  overrode the governmental control. David SoHappy paid a major part in this issue. In 1968, SoHappy led  an action to sue the Oregon Fish Commissioner McKee Smith to stop harming native fishing rights as  described in the Yakama Treaty of 1855. The tribes prevailed in the courts with Federal Judge Robert  Belloni, ruled in favor of the tribes. The court stated that the federal and states could only regulate tribal fishing rights when concerns for  conservation paid a role and that the tribal shar e of salmon runs must be protected. The running also  gave the tribes a role in the rule-making process on fisheries on the Columbia.

Salmon Scam
Leading members of his community as well as himself to file lawsuits on the government. On June 17, 1982, federal law enforcement officers arrested David Sohappy at Cooks Landing, Washington, in the Columbia River Gorge. The arrest happened by an undercover operation by the National Marine Fisheries Service that targeted SoHappy for illegally catching and selling salmon. It was the beginning of a case that came to be known as “Salmon Scam.” finding himself and his son being prosecuted and sentenced to prison for 5 years under the Lacy Act.

He was not released from prison until his wife, Myra, and others were able to enlist the support of powerful political players like Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Dan Evans (R-WA). Eventually they were able to rally enough support for his release on May 18th, 1988, as well as his son not soon after. The case ended in favor of Sohappy, saving and preserving his family's and tribes land at Cook's Landing. Unfortunately he wasn't able to see the outcome of the case. As five months before the verdict had been given, he died. May 6, 1991, at the age of 66 due to health problems and suffering a stroke.

Background
David SoHappy was born on April 25, 1925 on a Yakama reservation in south-central Washington. At a very early age he was brought up fishing on the Columbia River in Central Washington. learning about his culture and working on the sea and with the ground being  taught the tongue,(Sahaptin language) and Washat religion of his ancestors. In his youth finding is his life time partner Myra, they started a family and moved to Cook's Landing remaining in Yakama territory. David started working as a mechanic but was soon drafted to the Army Air Corps in 1946. Serving for nearly a year then being discharged as a sergeant. SoHappy then returned to the farm where he learned and work multiple different trades that were very hands on such as a an electrician, carpenter, plumber, ect. picking up many skills that helped shape him into what he became.

Challenging the State
Arrested in 1968, David SoHappy was charged for not abiding by state and tribal regulated laws. This began his journey as an activist and paved the way to him cementing his legacy as a fishing activist. SoHappy vs. Smith was the main turning point as he filed lawsuits against the Oregon Fish Commission. With the case favoring SoHappy it also became a platform for other native tribes to speak up against the government and stand their ground for the rights that they were promised.

The central role of SoHappy in the tribal fishing rights movement focused public understanding on the  role of salmon on tribal culture. His willingness to put himself in harm’s way to protect the treaty rights  of the Yakama has made him an important figure in Yakama culture and in the entire Columbia River  environment.