Quinault
Literature


The Quinault Nation is a tribe in the northwest that feels that the management of the salmon has been looked at as a resource that must be used to its greatest potential. The nation feels that there are too many fisherman in the industry and that the fisheries around the northwest overharvest the salmon with the notion that they must fulfill enormous harvest figures each season. The nation wants more local control to be given to solve the salmon problem that they are facing as a result of the over harvesting of the resouce. They feel that throughout the years they, as well as the rest of the tribal nations in the northwest have been ingnored in the creation of management plans and practices, but yet comply with the regulations that have been inacted. They want better representation and say in the future management and development of the salmon. In their plight to gain more of a voice in the role of creating resource management, they feel that they must be heard and their plan be adopted by the rest of the agencies involved in all levels of management for the salmon population to regain strength.

The Quinault's plan includes localizing control of harvesting management and sharing pricipals that would spread the harvest out more equally to the indians and then to non-indian people elsewhere. They state this because in the past, tribal fisherman had been sacraficing their harvest in accordance with regulations set forth, while other fisheries continued to harvest large numbers of salmon. The nation also stands for better mixed stocks of ocean fish to maintain species diversity among the adronomous fish. They back the enhancement of natural propagation, which will be attained through better enhancement, and enforcement of regulations.

The tribe believes that congress should assist the tribes and state to supply the equipment needed, training, and specialization of an enforcement system of better laws and regulations to maintain the salmon population. They also believe that the focus must be put on the management of individual runs and the natural areas of salmon production. They stand behind the rest of the tribal nation in the agreement that there must be cooperation in all levels of government and tribes to ensure the success of future salmon runs.

The divergence of water from rivers for the use of irrigation on farmland and flood control efforts as well as transportation and hydroelectric power plants on the rivers degrade the salmons habitat and all effect the environment of the northwest water system. They believe that in order to maintain the salmon population, all of these issues must be addressed and altered to better suit the indians and save the salmon.

Quinault Pride Seafood Products are from the Quinault Indian Nation at Taholah, Washington. Made up of the Quinault and Queets tribes, our people have taken great care to safeguard the natural resources on which our ancestors survived centuries ago. We live and work on 200,000 acres of river-cut, forested land on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula. Our western boundary is 28 miles of wide driftwood strewn beach on the Pacific Ocean while our easternmost angle encompasses beautiful Lane Quinault, home of the famed "Blueback" sockeye salmon.

Our nation is renowned for its magnificent forests and superb salmon and steelhead runs. The dense woods that once provided family longhouses, clothing, baskets and huge ocean going canoes, now supply the raw wood for our handcrafted gift boxes. The same superb slamon from our wild, clean rivers offers you the opportunity to appreciate and savor what has always been the "Pride of the Quinault Nation."

We are among the small number of Americans who can walk the same beaches, paddle the same waters, and hunt the same lands our ancestors did centuries ago. The Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) consists of the Quinault and Queets tribes and descendants of five other coastal tribes: the Hoh, Quileute, Chehalis, Chinook, and the Cowlitz."

Quinault man using plane 
to smooth side of canoe near 
Lake Quinault, Washington

We are among the small number of Americans who can walk the same beaches, paddle the same waters, and hunt the same lands our ancestors did centuries ago. The Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) consists of the Quinault and Queets tribes and descendants of five other coastal tribes: Quileute, Hoh, Chehalis, Chinook, and Cowlitz .

Our ancestors lived on a major physical and cultural dividing line. Beaches to the south are wide and sandy, while to the north, they are rugged and cliff-lined. We shared in the cultures of the people to the south as well as those to the north.

Living in family groups in long houses up and down the river, we were sustained by the land and by trade with neighboring tribes. Superb salmon runs, abundant sea mammals, wildlife, and forests provided substantial material and spiritual wealth to our ancestors.

A great store of knowledge about plants and their uses helped provide for our people. The western redcedar, the “tree of life,” provided logs for canoes, bark for clothing, split boards for houses, and more. We are the Canoe People , the people of the cedar tree.

We remember our past while employing modern principles in a marriage that will bring hope and promise to our people now and in the future.

Home Pages Relating to the Quinault

 Jefferson County and the Quinault Nation
Official site: Quinault Indian Nation
Quinault Indian Nation
Quinault Indian Nation Canoe Club
Quinault Indian Nation Demographic Profile
Quinault Indian Nation History
Quinault woman, Quinault Reservation, ca.1903

The Dispossessed: The Cowlitz Indians
Michelle Aguilar-Wells   TESC - RBP
(The Evergreen State College and Reservation Based Program)


 Quinault Nation News
P.O. Box 189
Taholah, Wa. 98587
Phone: 360-276-8211
1-888-616-8211
Fax: 360-276-4191

We are a spiritual people.

We respect all things and all people.
We teach our children to do the same.
Each person, family, and our community is important.
We love and care for our Elders and each other.
Our families are our strength.

We teach our stories, history and values to our children. Our children are taught our values early in daycare and in school. We may not agree at all times, but we have and show respect for one another at all times and in all places. Our Elders teach us who we are as Quinault people. We value the wisdom of our elder councils.

Our way of life provides frequent and meaningful contact with our Elders. We show respect and love for our Elders by spending time and caring for them. We provide traditional, well-balanced diet and adequate housing and medical care to meet their needs.

Constitution of the Quinault Indian Nation

Images of the Quinault


Indigenous Peoples' Literature Return to Indigenous Peoples' Literature

Compiled by: Glenn Welker





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