Tribe stands up to BNSF’s despicable behavior

In the case, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community v. BNSF Railway Company, a court of law finally held BNSF accountable recently for failing to honor its commitments to a Native American tribe.

In 1989, BNSF sought permission from the Swinomish Tribe to operate trains through their reservation in western Washington. The Swinomish agreed but with conditions, including that BNSF limit trains through the reservation to one east-bound and one west-bound train per day and that BNSF submit an annual report to the Tribe, identifying the cargo it transported through the reservation.

Not only did a federal court find that BNSF has been violating these commitments for years, the court described a pattern of despicable behavior, in which BNSF regularly ignored the Tribe’s requests to honor their agreement. The court even admonished BNSF’s attorneys, who were caught misrepresenting the law in this case. BNSF’s disgraceful treatment of the Swinomish People is shocking and yet another example of corporate greed selfishly pursuing its own interests at other people’s expense. The Swinomish Tribe’s courage to stand up to BNSF and steadfast demand for justice is truly inspiring.

MATT NYKIEL

Sandpoint