Content on this site does not necessarily represent the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe’s positions, strategies, or opinions. In line with the journalistic intentions of free speech, open discussion, and accurate information, government officials or business interests were not directly involved in the approval process; content is solely a product of Shoalwater Bay Tribal member input.

Kopa Tilikum shoalwaterbaytribe.com is committed to the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 which protects the Civil Rights of Tribal members to free speech and of the press. Section 1302 a. says:

“Constitutional Rights: No Indian tribe in exercising powers of self-government shall:

1. Make or enforce any law prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition for a redress of grievances.”

Why this is important for Kopa Tilikum shoalwaterbaytribe.com.

Shoalwaterbaytribe.com is a website that contains coverage of tribal political, social, business, and cultural life on the Shoalwater Bay Reservation. The site has provided tribal and community members with an outlet for free speech and expression on many issues that are of great concern to our community. The site has also been recognized by a neighboring coastal tribe when Shoalwater Bay journalists participated in Canoe Journey activities.

Political and business news and discussion are very central to the type of free and open discussion that editors, contributors, community and tribal member participants believe can help to create a better place to live and work at Shoalwater Bay. This is why a free speech outlet like Kopa Tilikum shoalwaterbaytribe.com is important.

If business and government interests crack down too hard on open discussion and transparency, this can operate in a way that rewards or punishes tribal members who speak out, vote a certain way, or may displease some of the leadership or those in power. For this reason, shoalwaterbaytribe.com Kopa Tilikum takes very seriously its mission of providing information to tribal and community members in a way that increases transparency and accountability to the Shoalwater Bay people.