Fisheries advocate Lorraine Loomis will be honored by state Nov. 30

More than a year after her passing, the legacy of the late Lorraine Loomis continues to grow.

Loomis, a longtime Swinomish Tribal Community fisheries manager who served seven years as chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, will be honored posthumously Nov. 30 in Seattle as recipient of a Do Epic Award presented by Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.

The memory of Loomis, who died in August of 2021 at age 81, will be celebrated at the Seattle Convention Center during a 12 p.m. ceremony next Wednesday.

“Throughout her life,” Franz said in a statement issued last week, “Lorraine was an outspoken leader whose work was built around ensuring that Native culture here in Washington thrived.”

Franz, only the second woman to serve as the state’s public lands commissioner, said she launched the annual Do Epic Awards presentations “to honor people across Washington who are doing epic things to improve our community and uplift the people of this state.

“This is truly my favorite event of the year,” she added, “where we get to talk about the great work people are doing across this state.”

Loomis was a great influence during initial stages of Franz’s career, she reflected, noting, “Lorraine was a mentor to me dating back to my early days as an environmental land use attorney working to protect salmon habitat.”

Franz described Loomis as an undaunted champion of salmon enhancement.

“She fought tirelessly to protect treaty rights for tribes across the state,” Franz said, calling her an enormous advocate for salmon preservation.

“Lorraine’s hard work and unwavering spirit have had a legendary impact on Washington, touching millions of lives and ensuring the preservation of our state’s most valuable and sacred resources,” Franz added. “Her legacy is an inspiration, and I’m honored to honor her decades-long labor of love.”

Loomis was also remembered as “an incredible advocate” for climate justice.

“She was an exceptional example of what it means to truly foster a strong connection between people and our natural environment,” said Franz.

Loomis, daughter of revered late Swinomish leaders Laura and Tandy Wilbur, Sr., started her career in fisheries management in the mid-1970s. She was named Swinomish fisheries manager in 1975. In 2014, upon the death of famed tribal fishing rights pioneer Billy Frank, Jr., Loomis was elected chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and in that role wrote a monthly column addressing regional treaty and fishing issues.

Among the many highlights of Loomis’ long career was her involvement in developing and implementing the U.S./Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty.