Indian Street to be renamed at Nov. 16 ceremony

Indian Street in Bellingham will soon have its name changed to Billy Frank, Jr. Street.

At 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, City Council Member Terry Bornemann will lead a short ceremony as the first Billy Frank, Jr. Street sign is installed at Laurel and Indian Streets just north of the Western Washington University campus. Bornemann brought the idea of the name change forward earlier in the year and found full support amongst members of the Bellingham City Council.

"We are changing the name of the street to honor the great Nisqually tribal leader who was so active in fighting for native, civil, and fishing rights for Coast Salish people and for environmental protections for all of us," Bornemann said.

Frank served as the Chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for 30 years and was the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions. He was arrested dozens of times for acts of Civil Disobedience related to exercising his fishing rights. He passed away in May 2014. For more information about the ceremony, call the Bellingham City Council office at 360-778-8202.