Olympia's State Capitol revealed a heartfelt homage to a Native American icon last week. The statue model of the legendary activist Billy Frank Jr. was unveiled, foreshadowing its impressive debut in 2025 at the National Statuary Hall in Washington D.C. According to the Seattle Times, this statue will be the first to represent a contemporary Native American in the storied halls of the nation’s Capitol.
The recognition was not lost on Washington Governor Jay Inslee who, during the Wednesday ceremony, declared "The best of Washington is now headed to Washington, D.C." Not just a member of the Nisqually Tribe, Frank, having died in 2014, left a legacy marked by his tireless activism for the protection of salmon and the rights of Native Americans. Captured on a river's edge, with a smile and mid-action salmon, the preliminary clay model—known as a maquette—portrays more than a man; it symbolizes a struggle and a triumph deeply rooted in the region's history and ongoing environmental struggles.
The maquette designed by Seattle artist Hai Ying Wu carries within it a layer of intimacy and attentiveness, a product of Wu's conversations and shared memories with Frank's closest kin and comrades. As reported by KUOW, Wu became profoundly connected to the project, making the decision to feature Frank "sitting by the Nisqually riverbank" where his life's story both began and unfolded.
His influence crossed tribal lines and touched hearts, described by State Rep. Debra Lekanoff, the one who filed the bill leading to the creation of the statue, as "the most welcoming person who, when he looked at you, you felt seen," in her interview with the TDN. The respect and admiration felt for Frank were tangible during the ceremony, as notables such as Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, Vice Chair of the Nisqually Tribe Antonette Squally, and Rep. J.T. Wilcox joined Willie Frank III, the son of the late activist, in commemoration of an indelible legacy turned to bronze memorial.
