Final answer:
The Fish Wars were conflicts over water and fishing rights of Indigenous peoples in the northwestern United States, culminating in legal victories that affirmed their treaty-granted rights to fish in traditional areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fish Wars were about b) Water rights and fishing rights. These were a series of political and legal battles during the 1960s to the 1980s, focusing on whether Indigenous peoples in the northwestern United States had the right to fish in their traditional areas, as promised by treaties. Despite state and local officials often denying these rights, many tribes persisted in exercising their treaty rights, especially related to fishing, and ultimately federal courts ruled in favor of many tribes.
In regions such as the Great Lakes, indigenous tribes fought against the State of Michigan to gain legal access to fishing based on treaty rights. This battle was resolved with a federal court decision in 1979. These discussions and legal battles raised critical questions about government regulation of fishing, balancing current economic needs against preserving access for future generations.
Treaty rights differ between tribes but commonly include access to natural resources, tribal lands, compensation for ceded lands, and sometimes provisions for self-government. These rights are a testament to the diverse and unique treaties between tribes and the United States.