Overview: Explore the vital role of Washington’s Capital Press Corps and how statehouse reporters keep citizens informed about government, public policy, elections, and political decision-making. Through interviews with veteran journalists including David Ammons and Austin Jenkins, this video examines the history, responsibilities, and evolving challenges facing the media in Olympia. From covering legislative sessions and statewide elections to adapting to shrinking newsrooms and digital journalism, viewers gain an inside look at how reporters serve as watchdogs for democracy and why a strong, independent press remains essential for an informed electorate.
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Overview: The Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854 is still alive today. In this video, we follow WA State Teacher of the Year ’22 Jerad Koepp (Wukchumni) as he visits the traditional lands of the Nisqually people in search of the treaty tree. As he explores the history, Jerad also learns from Nisqually and other Native American leaders about the language, history, and importance of the Medicine Creek Treaty. Help your students reflect and answer questions for classroom discussion or summative assessment with this 15 min documentary and Viewer’s Guides linked in Teacher’s Resources.
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Overview: Washington state is where collaborative governance on natural resources began in the early 1970s, with a groundbreaking agreement to resolve conflicts over flood control on the Snoqualmie River. As the new field grew, it helped to resolve a key civil rights struggle over tribal fishing rights in Washington known as the “Fish Wars,” which came to a head in a landmark legal case referred to as the Boldt Decision. After the US Supreme Court upheld the Boldt Decision’s recognition of tribal treaty rights, the parties eventually turned to collaborative governance to resolve their conflict, and the resulting state/tribal co-management of salmon and steelhead persists to this day. Since then, collaborative approaches in Washington have led to many groundbreaking outcomes, greatly influencing the rest of the nation over a 50-year history. While conflicts over who controls Washington State’s natural resources dominate the media coverage, the collaborative approach that comes after these conflicts is just as interesting to follow. In the early 1970s, collaborative governance on natural resources began in Washington State. The “fish wars” of the 1960s and 1970s, culminating in the Boldt Decision, reaffirmed tribal treaty rights and tribal sovereignty. Since this time, the parties have turned to collaborative management and governance for natural resources management. In this lesson, students will examine different ways that tribal nations, the Washington State government, environmentalists, and farmers and ranchers have come together to navigate conflict, understand interdependencies, and build relationships. Essential Questions Objectives
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Overview: This video follows students in the Capitol Classroom program at Lake Washington High School as they research, draft, and advocate for legislation addressing gender-based pricing discrimination in Washington state. Working with lawmakers students experience every stage of the legislative process—from developing policy ideas and meeting with legislators to testifying before committees and navigating political opposition. Along the way, viewers gain insight into how bills move through the legislature, the role of public testimony, and the challenges of balancing equity, business concerns, and public policy in a citizen legislature.
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Overview: This video takes viewers inside the Washington State Supreme Court to follow the real-life case of Kevin Gardner, an armored truck driver fired after breaking company policy to save a hostage during a bank attack. Through oral arguments, judicial deliberations, and the court’s final ruling, the program explains how the state’s highest court interprets the law, selects cases, and shapes legal precedent. Viewers gain a deeper understanding of appellate courts, judicial decision-making, public policy, and the role of the judiciary in balancing legal rules with questions of ethics, safety, and human responsibility.
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Overview: This video explores how therapeutic and mental health courts are transforming the justice system by focusing on treatment, accountability, and recovery instead of punishment alone. Through personal stories, judges, court coordinators, and participants explain how mental illness, addiction, and trauma often contribute to criminal behavior—and how community courts provide support, housing, counseling, and treatment to help people rebuild their lives. The documentary highlights lower recidivism rates, stronger community outcomes, and the human impact of seeing people as individuals rather than case numbers.
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Overview: This video highlights how a high school mariachi program in Washington’s agricultural community is transforming students’ lives through music, education, and cultural pride. Many students come from first-generation immigrant families who work long hours in orchards and packing facilities while facing financial and legal challenges. Through mariachi music, students build confidence, discipline, and leadership skills while being encouraged to pursue higher education and new opportunities beyond farm work. The program also connects students with civic engagement opportunities, including advocacy for educational access and support for the DREAM Act, showing how education and the arts can empower students, families, and entire communities.
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Overview: This video follows young people at Washington’s Green Hill School as they share their experiences with incarceration, rehabilitation, and advocacy for juvenile justice reform. Through personal stories, students explore how counseling, education, and supportive programs helped them rethink their futures and find purpose beyond their past mistakes. The video also highlights their work with lawmakers on Senate Bill 6160, a juvenile justice reform bill focused on rehabilitation, brain science, and reducing recidivism. Viewers gain insight into the challenges facing incarcerated youth and the power of civic engagement, second chances, and restorative approaches to justice.
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Overview: This video explores how the Electoral College works, why it was created, and why it remains one of the most debated parts of American democracy. Through Washington state’s 2016 Electoral College meeting, viewers learn how electors are chosen, how electoral votes determine the presidency, and why the system can produce outcomes where the popular vote winner loses the election. The video also examines the constitutional compromises behind the Electoral College, the role of smaller states, faithless electors, and ongoing debates about whether the system still serves its intended purpose in modern elections.Northwest Regional Emmy® Award in 2018.
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Overview: This powerful documentary follows the extraordinary journey of Starcia Ague, who overcame childhood trauma, addiction, incarceration, and homelessness to become a college student, youth advocate, and leader for juvenile justice reform in Washington state. Through the support of mentors, educators, counselors, and law enforcement, Stara transformed her life while fighting to change laws that limit opportunities for formerly incarcerated youth. The film explores resilience, rehabilitation, second chances, and the impact compassionate intervention can have on breaking cycles of crime and addiction.(2014 Emmy Award Winner)
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