The Quileute tribe is one of the smallest tribal groups of the America which is located mainly in the La Push, Washington on the shores of Pacific Ocean. The Quileute tribal settled in United States of America in the year 1855 after executing Quinault agreement. The Quileute tribal are known for their cultural distinctions and lifestyle. The Quileute tribes are mainly dependent on fishing and crafting for their livelihood. If we look at their history, they are very good boat makers. They are able to built variety of boats which could be used for cargo carrying. Over the period of time Quileute people have evolved their beliefs; they have started believing scientific methods hence started adopting scientific technologies.
Today the species is at the verge of extinction. The total number of the Quileute tribal members as per the recent 2000 census is almost 1000 only. Their number is decreasing day by day and it has become a serious matter of concern. This paper discusses several aspects of Quileute tribe and the issue of tsunami which is not only in news currently but also a very significant issue for their existence.
The Quileute tribe has its own government in the United States of America and is governed by a set of rules made by a council that is constituted by the members of this tribal group. This community is facing the danger of tsunami which is also one of the major problems that is threatening their existence. Half of their existing land is part of floodplain. Various public facilities like government offices, schools, medical facilities and houses are at the height of only 15 feet from the sea level. These facilities are at high risk of storms, flood and tsunami.
The Quileute tribe has a reservation of only one square mile area currently but due to the continuous threats of tsunami, they have urged US government on the issue and requested the government authorities to take serious steps at the earliest to solve the issue. The tribal community has been insisting for the expansion and a nod from the government to let them relocate at higher places.
The council has passed resolution in this regard and expressed the same to the United States authorities but this time they have decided to petition the US authorities to get the plan executed on an urgent basis. The tribal community has seen the disastrous consequences of tsunami in Japan and is afraid of any such calamities at their own place.
After observing the efforts and support by Senator Maria Cantwell to the bill which is meant to Move Quileute Tribe out of Tsunami Zone, Quileute Chairwoman Bonita Cleveland told “The Quileute tribe extends our deepest gratitude to Senator Cantwell and the committee for moving this bill forward and recognizing the urgency in moving our lower village to higher ground. Though the March 11 Japan tsunami no longer dominates the headlines, they have in fact continued to experience a number of earthquakes. Central Asia, New Zealand, Alaska and The Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea, which shares the ‘Ring of Fire’ with La Push, where about 90 percent of the world's quakes occur, have all experienced earthquakes in the last 30 days. A minor earthquake on the Olympic Peninsula four days ago heightened the fears and concerns in our village, so the timing of this hearing is a welcome relief to our people. This is a very important day for all Quileute people and we give appreciation to the ancestors and elders for giving us guidance, the strength to persevere and the courage to believe that this day would come to pass”.
After a series of discussion and recommendation from various sects of the society, the congress is planning to give an expansion to this reservation by providing an area of additional 1300 square kilometers of Olympic national park. A committee has been constituted to consider seriously and act as soon as possible on the issue. This will be a great step towards the relief of The Quileute tribe and by this expansion the tribe will be able to move their schools, houses and all the other facilities at safer places out of the danger of tsunami. The transfer will also be helpful in resolving the long time boundary issue with the park.
Reference
Rice, A. (2011, September 16). www.peninsuladailynews.com. Retrieved December 13, 2011, from www.peninsuladailynews.com: http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20110916/news/309169987/
