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.
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 August 24, 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. As of 2024[update], tribal administration is as follows:
Enrollment to the Quinault Indian Tribe requires that an individual be descended from at least one of the Nation's seven tribes (Quinault, Queets, Quileute, Hoh, Chehalis, Cowlitz, and Chinook) and meet all other constitutional eligibility criteria for Quinault Nation membership.[3] Persons who are direct descendants of members but have less than one-fourth blood quantum can apply to be formally adopted into the tribe.[citation needed]
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]
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]
Notable people
Fawn Sharp, Native American politician, attorney, and policy advocate
Notes
^ ab"Quinault Indian Nation", Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
^"Quinault."Ethnologue. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
