Pacific Northwest Tribes Unanimously Oppose Ballot Initiatives IL26-001 and IL26-638

Snoqualmie, WA – Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians joined a growing list of Washington State leaders and organizations opposing two ballot initiatives sponsored by MAGA donor Brian Heywood and his PAC Let’s Go WA.

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), representing 57 Northwest tribal governments from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Northern California, Southeast Alaska, and Western Montana. In Washington,  ATNI includes Chehalis Tribe, Chinook Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Confederated Tribes and Bands of Yakama Indian Nation, Cowlitz Tribe, Duwamish Tribe, Hoh Tribe, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Kalispel Tribe, Lower Elwha S’Klallam Tribe, Lummi Indian Nation, Makah Indian Nation, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Nisqually Tribe, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Puyallup Tribe, Quileute Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, Samish Indian Nation, Sauk-Suiattle Tribe,  Shoalwater Bay Tribe, Skokomish Tribe, Snohomish Tribe, Snoqualmie Tribe, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Squaxin Island Tribe, Steilacoom Tribe, Stillaguamish Tribe, Suquamish Tribe, Swinomish Tribe, Tulalip Tribe and the Upper Skagit Tribe. 

ATNI passed a resolution opposing IL26-638 and IL26-001 at their annual convention. The approved resolution outlines the tribes’ strong opposition to both I-001 and I-638, finding they “are inconsistent with the Tribes’ cultural, traditional values and commitment to protecting children, strengthening families, and ensuring the dignity and well-being of all young people.” 

Seeding Justice Executive Director Se-ah-dom Edmo of the Shoshone-Bannock, Nez Perce, and Yakama Tribes said, “This is historic, it's not simply an endorsement of a political campaign, but a unified statement from Tribes across the Pacific Northwest: these measures do not reflect our values, and we will not stand by while our young people are used as political targets. The resolution connects this moment to the broader commitment across Indian Country to protect and honor our Two Spirit relatives.

We ask everyone to join us now: Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians urges all Washingtonians to vote no on I-001 and I-638. We must protect our children from hate.”  Se-ah-dom Edmo is also on the executive committee of No Hate in Washington State, the campaign opposing I-001 and I-638.

In the resolution, ATNI member tribes affirm the dignity and rights of Two Spirit, transgender, LGBTQ+, and gender-diverse youth, calling for state policies to protect young people and respect tribal sovereignty. The resolution was adopted at the 2026 Annual Convention in Snoqualmie, Washington. ATNI calls for state policies affecting children and families to be grounded in protecting young people from abuse and harm, strengthening access to trusted support, respecting human dignity, and honoring the sovereignty and values of Tribal Nations.

As election day nears, the momentum against I-638 and I-001 continues to grow.  U.S. Senator Patty Murray and Governor Ferguson have also both spoken out against these harmful initiatives, joining hundreds of elected officials and candidates across Washington, opposing the measures. As of today, the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Mountlake Terrace, Olympia, and Shoreline, along with King County and the Seattle School Board, have passed resolutions opposing I-638 and I-001. 

Initiatives 638 and 001 are opposed by the WA State Nurses Association, the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the League of Women voters, and hundreds of organizations, doctors, nurses, counselors, educators, and businesses. The Washington State PTA opposes both I-638 and I-001, but is not affiliated with No Hate in WA State.

To learn more visit: nohateinwastate.org.

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