Move to Higher Ground
Our mission is to secure the future of the Quileute Tribe by moving our at-risk community to the safe zone where our heritage and culture can continue to thrive for generations to come.
Our vision is to see the Quileute People practice our rich and vibrant traditions in a community, safe from tsunamis and floods, where we can continue to pass on teachings to the bearers of our culture—the Quileute Youth.
Help Save and Preserve the Quileute Culture and Traditions for 7 Generations to come.
The Quileute Tribe of La Push, on the northwest tip of the Washington coast, welcomes you to our Move to Higher Ground project.
The priority of the Tribe was the relocation of the Quileute Tribal School which was successfully completed in the summer of 2022.
Living in a tsunami zone at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, a catastrophic earthquake can wipe out our community in less than 10 minutes – an entire generation of the Quileute people will cease to exist. We need your help to move our tribal community from a disaster zone to a safer, better, and higher ground.
Regardless of natural disasters there is a vital need to rebuild the community on higher ground and develop sustainable housing options that are safe for tribal community members. It is vital that the community also implements infrastructure that can handle storms and other climate change issues. Creating a successful community is all about climate resiliency.
Relocating to Higher Ground is truly a matter of life or death for our Quileute people.
What’s next?
With the successful relocation of the Quileute Tribal School, phase 1 is now complete. The next phase of the Move to Higher Ground project will continue to focus on the preservation of life and community and cultural resources. The Quileute Tribe intends to relocate our senior center, human services, government administration, and natural resource departments and to provide more housing out of the tsunami zone.
Phase 2 is focused on safe housing for the community. This has been a project focused on getting feedback, planning process, and heavily community centered. What is the planning process? Extensive and intensive community driven process.
The Move to Higher Ground Timeline:
Quileute people have lived on the lands of La Push
First contact with European Traders
Quileute signed the Treaty of Olympia with the United States
Treaty of Olympia was finalized on January 25
The Treaty of Olympia was ratified by the U.S. Senate and proclaimed by the U.S. President
Executive Order from President Benjamin Harrison established a one-square mile of reservation at La Push, WA
Olympus National Monument established
Constitution and By-Laws of the Quileute Tribe established
Corporate Charter of the Quileute Indian Tribe issued by Secretary of the Interior
Olympic National Park founded by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Boldt Decision reaffirmed treaty fishing rights
Quileute hosted the Intertribal Canoe Journey or “Paddle to La Push”
Land legislation, signed by President Obama, transfers 750 acres from Olympic National Park, as higher ground, back to the Quileute Tribe
Quileute Tribe awarded grant funding for the school
Quileute Tribe celebrated the long-awaited completion of the newly constructed Quileute Tribal School at the Move to Higher Ground relocation area.
School year marks the first year for students at the new location safely out of the tsunami zone. Phase 1 relocation of Quileute Tribal School.
Phase 2 centered around developing Safe Tribal Housing and Updating the Master Plan of the Project.
Phase 3 begin planning for the Cultural Center and future administration buildings.
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