Billy Frank Jr. was a prominent Native American environmental leader and advocate for tribal treaty rights. He was a member of the Nisqually tribe and played a crucial role in the "Fish Wars" of the 1960s and 1970s, which were a series of protests to secure fishing rights for Native American tribes in Washington state.
 

Frank led "fish-ins," which were similar to sit-ins during the civil rights movement, to protest against the state's restrictions on Native American fishing. His efforts culminated in the Boldt Decision of 1974, which affirmed that Washington state tribes were entitled to 50% of the annual fish harvest.

​

He served as the chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for over 30 years and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

​

The land where the Wa He Lut Indian School is located is a land trust belonging to the direct descendants of Billy Frank Jr., including his son, Willie Frank III, who is the current school board chair. His legacy continues to inspire efforts towards environmental sustainability and the protection of tribal rights.