Cultural Resources

Mission

It is our mission to provide Reservation and U&A wide leadership, advocacy, and education to ensure the protection of Quinault Indian Nation’s diverse cultural heritage and culturally significant places.

We are a Nation that draws strength from the values of our past and the resources within our community to manifest our shared future. We are a healthy, thriving and sustainable community that inspires hope and self-reliance in our people, Our youth share the responsibilities of leadership and are prepared to take care of their future. 

We recognize the contribution of each citizen, honor authentic engagement and open communication, and have deep reverence for the Quinault Spirit that shines through our people, our ways, and our beautiful lands. 

Cultural & Historic Resource Protection Act - Title 16

In 2012, the Quinault Indian Nation approved its own Cultural and Historic Resource Protection Act (PDF). The Act provides for an official Quinault registry of historic and culturally significant sites and resources. It requires that they be "preserved and protected to the maximum extent possible."

Consultation with the Quinault Indian Nation Cultural Resource Specialist is required prior to ground-disturbing activities such as timber harvest on Quinault lands and within the Nations areas of interest, primarily within the Chehalis watershed. Federal agencies must consult with Indian tribes that attach religious and cultural significance to historic properties, regardless of their location. The goal is to protect cultural and natural resources such as archaeological sites, traditional indigenous use sites, forests, clean air and water, fish and wildlife in addition to the habitat that all require to survive and thrive.

At this time, agencies with programs within the Quinault area of interest must consult with the Quinault Tribal Historic Preservation Office or THPO.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Quinault Traditional Ecological Knowledge is an evolving body of knowledge, practice and belief that has been handed down through generations in Indian families and communities. It describes the relationship of living beings (human and non-human) with one another and the environment.

In recent years, non-Indian scientists in academia, government and business have recognized the value of considering the worldview of indigenous people which includes ecology, spirituality, human and animal relationships, weather and more.

Quinault Traditional Ecological Knowledge particularly informs sustainable resource use. It may suggest solutions to problems such as over-harvesting of trees or fish as well as point to more sustainable practices in the future.

Cultural Harvesting

"Cultural harvest" refers to the collection of wood (cedar, fir, spruce or hemlock), bear grass, sweet grass or cedar bark for traditional purposes such as canoe-building, bent board work, basket-weaving or carving.

Harvest of plant material is allowed for non-tribal members if accompanied by a Quinault tribal member and approved in writing by the QDNR Director. Collected materials will be used for traditional and non-commercial products only. A no-cost permit is required. Non-tribal members may not collect plant material on the Quinault Indian Nation lands for any other reason.

Cultural Harvesting Permit Request Form

Tribal members may apply for a free use permit by submitting a Cultural Harvesting Permit Request Form to the following:

Quinault Division of Natural Resources Permits Department
1214 Aalis Drive, Building C
Taholah, WA 98587

The Cultural Planning Committee usually assesses applications but currently the committee is not currently processing these applications.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) can be a powerful tool for managing the impacts of the modern world on “cultural resources” such as historic buildings, historic districts, archaeological sites, Native American traditional places, and traditional ways of life. Additional information can be found at the National Preservation Institute website.

Recent Publications

In 2017, QIN coordinated a multi-year research project that resulted in a limited edition illustrated booklet for tribal members called "Ethnobotany in the Land of the Quinault - Culturally Important Plants and their Uses", which provides valuable documentation of the plant-gathering traditions of the Quinault Indian Nation so this knowledge and wisdom persist and thrive into the future.  Grants to fund the project have been gratefully received from the U.S. National Park Service and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

In June 2022, the book "Gifted Earth: The Ethnobotany of the Quinault and Neighboring Tribes", was published. This book, written by Douglas Deur and with support of knowledge-holders of the Quinault Indian Nation, features traditional Native American plant knowledge, detailing the use of plants for food, medicines, and materials. This resource has proven to be a powerful document that we expect the agencies to reference in support of QIN cultural resources.

Additional Quinault Ethnobotany Resources

• What is Bear Grass? (Wikipedia) - Xerophyllum tenax is a North American species of plants in the corn lily family. It is known by several common names, including bear grass, soap grass, quip-quip, and Indian basket grass.
• What is Sweet Grass? (Wikipedia) - Hierochloe odorata or Anthoxanthum nitens (commonly known as sweet grass, manna grass, Mary's grass or vanilla grass) is an aromatic herb native to northern Eurasia and North America. It is used in herbal medicine and it owes its distinctive sweet scent to the presence of coumarin.

Quinault Cultural Center and Museum

Check back later for more content on the Cultural Center and Museum.

Contact Tootie James for more information