Quinault Indian Nation

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Quinault Indian Nation
Bandera Quinault.PNG
Quinault Indian Nation flag
Total population
2,535 enrolled members (1999)[1]
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 people[3]

The Quinault Indian Nation (/kwɨˈnɒlt/ or /kwɨˈnɔːlt/; 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 people.[4] They are a Southwestern Coast Salish people of indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.[5] Their tribe is located in Washington.

Reservation[edit]

Map of Quinault traditional tribal territory and reservation
In 1970, Quinault children planted 10,000 fir trees, photo by Gene Daniels of the EPA

The Quinault Reservation was founded in 1855.[6] The reservation is 208,150-acres large and includes 23 miles of Pacific coastline,[4] located on the southwestern corner of the Olympic Peninsula. The reservation is in Grays Harbor and Jefferson Counties, 45 miles north of Hoquiam, Washington.[1]

Government[edit]

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:

  • Chairman: Fawn Sharp
  • Vice chairman: Tyson Johnston
  • Treasurer: Larry Ralston
  • Secretary: Latosha Underwood
  • 1st councilmen: Gina James
  • 2nd councilmen: James Sellers
  • 3rd councilmen: Lucretia Pope
  • 4th councilmen: Aliza Brown
  • 5th councilmen: Dawneen Delecruz
  • 6th councilmen: Clarinda "Pies" Underwood
  • 7th councilmen: Roland Mason.[3]

Enrollment to the Quinault Indian Tribe requires a minimum blood quantum of one-fourth of any combination of the seven member tribes. Descendents with lower than one-fourth blood quantum can apply to be adopted into the tribe.[3]

Language[edit]

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

Economic development[edit]

The Quinault Indian Nation owns Quinault Pride Seafood, Land, and Timber, Maritime Resort, and the Mercantile.[4] They also own and operate the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, Emily's Ocean Front Restaurant, Sidewalk Bistro and Deli, coffee bar, and Fireplace Nook, all located at Oyehut, near Ocean Shores, Washington.[7] Since 2009, the casino has been the site of the annual Hog Wild Rally, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the Pacific Northwest.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Quinault Indian Nation." Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Retrieved 24 Sept 2013.
  2. ^ "Quinault." Ethnologue. Retrieved 23 Sept 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Quinault Tribal Council." Quinault Indian Nation. Retrieved 24 Sept 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d "People of the Quinault." Quinault Indian Nation. Retrieved 24 Sept 2013.
  5. ^ Pritzker 203
  6. ^ Pritzker 205
  7. ^ "Quinault Beach Resort & Casino." 500 Nations. Retrieved 24 Sept 2013.

References[edit]

  • Pritzker, Barry M. A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0-19-513877-1.

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 47°25′05″N 124°08′19″W / 47.41806°N 124.13861°W / 47.41806; -124.13861