For more than 15 years, Yakima Valley College faculty member Emily Washines’ scholarship and advocacy has included a focus on Native fishing rights. Now, she’s part of the production team for the Northwest Regional Emmy Award-nominated documentary “Billy’s Magic,” which focuses on the work of Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually tribal leader known for his passionate advocacy for treaty fishing rights.
Washines, who teaches about U.S. Indian relations, Indigenous leadership and Pacific Northwest history at YVC, served as cultural editor for the documentary, produced by Northwest Public Broadcasting. In her role, Washines helped draft and review questions for individuals interviewed for the documentary, provided guidance on filming locations and shared other insights drawing from her scholarship.
“To see this project get nominated for this award, it feels amazing and it's an incredible validation,” said Washines, an enrolled Yakama Nation tribal member with Cree and Skokomish lineage.
Since “Billy’s Magic” was first aired by Northwest Public Broadcasting in late 2024, Washines has incorporated it into a class on Pacific Northwest history that she co-teaches.
“When I show ‘Billy’s Magic’ to students and talk to them about fishing and fishing rights, knowing it’s been nominated for an award I think adds an emphasis as we share the history of Native leaders and their impact,” Washines said.
“Billy’s Magic” is nominated in the category for Historical/Cultural - Long Form Content. Award winners will be announced June 7 in Seattle.
Washines is an executive board member for Columbia Riverkeeper, an organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, and served as president in 2023 and 2024. She also is the founder and CEO of Native Friends, a Native lifestyle empowerment brand with a focus on language, history and culture, and for eight years worked for Yakama Nation Fisheries helping lead its outreach and communication efforts.
On May 15, Washines also will be a featured presenter in “The Aunties” at the Capitol Theatre in Yakima. “The Aunties” is a live storytelling and documentary series with gatherings taking place across Indian Country. At each site, three Indigenous auntie culture bearers from the surrounding traditional territories share stories from stage accompanied by archival photographs. The Capitol Theatre event will be recorded for later release.