Quinault Indian Nation

The Quinault Indian Nation (/kwɪˈnɒlt/ or /kwɪˈnɔːlt/; QIN), formerly known as the Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, is a federally recognized tribe of Quinault, Queets, Quileute, Hoh, Chehalis, Chinook, and Cowlitz peoples.[4] They are a Southwestern Coast Salish people of indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.[5] Their tribe is located in Washington state on the Pacific coast of the Olympic Peninsula. These peoples are also represented in other tribes in Washington and Oregon.

Quinault Indian Nation
Quinault Indian Nation flag
Total population
2,535 enrolled members[1] (1999)
Regions with significant populations
 United States ( Washington)
Languages
English, formerly Quinault,[2] Quileute, Cowlitz, Chinook
Religion
traditional tribal religion
Related ethnic groups
other Quinault, Queets, Quileute, Hoh, Chehalis, Cowlitz, and Chinook peoples[3]

In July 2016, about 2,500 landowners with interests in the Quinault Reservation were offered about $59 million by the U.S. Department of Interior as part of its Native Lands Buy-Back Program as part of the settlement of the Cobell v. Salazar class-action suit.[6][7] The land purchased will be put into trust for the tribe at this reservation. Among other tribes, a range of 41 to 45% of people have accepted such offers. The agency has restored about 1.5 million acres (610,000 ha) to tribes under this program.

Reservation
Map of Quinault traditional tribal territory and reservation

The Quinault Reservation was founded in 1855 with the signing of the Treaty of Olympia (also known as the Quinault River Treaty) with the United States.[8] The reservation covers 208,150 acres (84,240 ha) and includes 23 miles (37 km) of Pacific coastline,[4] located on the southwestern corner of the Olympic Peninsula. It is bordered by the Olympic National Park to the northwest, which was established in 1909 as a National Monument by President Teddy Roosevelt.

The reservation is in Grays Harbor and Jefferson counties, 45 miles (72 km) north of Hoquiam, Washington.[1] The three largest rivers on the reservation are the Quinault, the Queets, and the Raft. The Quinault Indian Nation owns Lake Quinault.[9]

Taholah
Main article: Taholah, Washington

Taholah is the largest settlement in the Quinault Reservation and is home to the tribal government's main facilities. In 2015, the tribal government proposed a $60 million plan to relocate the village to an uphill area southeast of the existing village, away from potential tsunami and flooding hazard zones.[10] Construction on the relocated village began in 2019.[11] The first part of the relocated village, a senior and children center named the Generations Building (WenɑsɡwəllɑʔɑW), opened in May 2021.[12][13]

Government

The Quinault Indian Nation is headquartered in Taholah, Washington. They ratified their bylaws on 24 August 1922 and their constitution in 1975.[4]

The tribe is governed by an eleven-member Tribal Council, or "Business Committee", which is democratically elected by the adult tribal membership (the General Council) at regular annual meetings. The current tribal administration is as follows:

  • President: Guy Capoeman
  • Vice President: Fawn Sharp
  • Treasurer: Larry Ralston
  • Secretary: Latosha Underwood
  • 1st councilwoman: Gina James
  • 2nd councilmen: Jim Sellers
  • 3rd councilmen: John Bryson Jr.
  • 4th councilwoman: Noreen Underwood
  • 5th councilwoman: Donald Waugh
  • 6th councilwoman: Ryan Hendricks
  • 7th councilmen: Kristeen Mowitch.[3]

Enrollment to the Quinault Indian Tribe requires a minimum blood quantum of one-fourth of any combination of the seven member tribes. Persons who are direct descendants of members but have less than one-fourth blood quantum can apply to be formally adopted into the tribe.[3]


Language

English is commonly spoken by the tribe. Formerly tribal members spoke Quileute, Cowlitz, and Chinook languages.

Economic development
In 1970, Quinault children planted 10,000 fir trees.
Quinault Beach Resort and Casino in 2023

The Quinault Indian Nation owns Quinault Pride Seafood, Land, and Timber Enterprises, and the Mercantile in Taholah, Washington. They run their own internal facilities and in the 21st century are the largest employer in Grays Harbor County.[4]

They also own and operate the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, a new enterprise started in the late 20th century; Emily's Ocean Front Restaurant, Sidewalk Bistro and Deli, coffee bar, and Fireplace Nook; and Qmart 1 in Oyehut, near Ocean Shores, Washington. They also own Qmart 2 in Aberdeen.[14]

Since 2009, the casino has been the site of the annual Hog Wild Rally, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the Pacific Northwest.

In June 2018, $25 million in renovations and expansion to the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino were completed. This project included remodeling of 159 resort rooms, additional gaming area, a new feature bar, kitchen facilities and a tribal themed buffet restaurant.[15]

Notes
  1. "Quinault Indian Nation", Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Retrieved 24 Sept 2013.
  2. "Quinault." Ethnologue. Retrieved 23 Sept 2013.
  3. "Quinault Tribal Council." Quinault Indian Nation. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  4. "People of the Quinault." Quinault Indian Nation. Retrieved 24 Sept 2013.
  5. Pritzker (2000), p. 203.
  6. "Landowners on two reservations see $70M from Cobell program", Indianz.com, 14 July 2016; accessed 26 November 2016
  7. "Landowners with Fractional Interests at Fort Hall, Quinault Indian Reservations Receive $70 Million in Buy-Back Purchase Offers", 14 July 2016, Press Release, Department of Interior; accessed 26 November 2016
  8. Pritzker (2000), p. 205.
  9. "Federal judge dismisses Lake Quinault ownership lawsuit". www.theolympian.com. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
  10. Ahearn, Ashley (December 1, 2015). "Facing Rising Waters, A Native Tribe Takes Its Plea To Paris Climate Talks". NPR. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  11. Volcovici, Valerie (April 13, 2020). "A U.S. tribe's uphill battle against climate change". Reuters. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  12. Mapes, Lynda V. (August 9, 2021). "This tribe has lived on the coast of Washington for thousands of years. Now climate change is forcing it uphill". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  13. Hammock, Dan (May 19, 2021). "Quinault Indian Nation opens its new Generations House services building". The Daily World. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  14. "Quinault Beach Resort & Casino.", 500 Nations. Retrieved 24 Sept 2013.
  15. Millhorn, Kathryn (June 12, 2018). "Quinault Beach Resort and Casino: Expanded,Renovated and Ready for Fun". Retrieved 8 February 2019.

References

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