Makah Reservation

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Makah Reservation
Indian reservation
2085R Makah Indian Reservation Locator Map.svg
Location in Washington
TribeMakah Tribe
Country United States
State Washington
County Clallam
Headquarters Neah Bay
Government
[1]
 • BodyTribal Council
 • ChairmanJohn Ides, Sr.
 • Vice-ChairmanKeith Johnson
 • TreasurerLeah Neuneker
Population
 (2017) [2]
 • Total1,559
Website makah.com

Makah Reservation is an Indian reservation of the Makah Native Americans located on the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The northern boundary of the reservation is the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The western boundary is the Pacific Ocean. It has a land area of 121.451 square kilometres (46.892 sq mi) and a 2000 census resident population of 1,356 persons. Its largest community is Neah Bay.

Contents

The Makah Tribe was also a whale hunting tribe. They especially hunted gray whale for its size and weight. Some times while hunting, they traveled 30, 40, or 100 miles out to sea.

The Makah in the early nineteenth century inhabited Cape Flattery, Washington. According to the Lewis and Clark expedition, they then numbered some 2,000. The Makah are the southernmost of the Wakashan linguistic group, and the only member of this family living within the current boundaries of the United States. Other bands are First Nations peoples on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Makah culture was fundamentally that of the Pacific Northwest Coast area. In 1855 they ceded all their lands to the United States except a small area on Cape Flattery that was set aside as a reservation. Today most of the 1,600 Makah in the United States live on the Makah Reservation; their main tribal income is from forestry.

Non-tribal members visiting the reservation are required to purchase a pass upon entering the reservation. Guests on official business are given a free pass.

History

Names

The Makah tribe originally called themselves "Kwih-dich-chuh-ahtx" which roughly translates to "people who live by the rocks and seagulls," however, their neighbors referred to them as the "Makah" meaning "generous with food" which is the name now more commonly used when addressing the tribe. [3]

First non-native contact

Contact with the British trader, Captain John Meares, was the first instance of contact the Makah had with non-Indians. It took place in June 1788; Meares had arrived near Cape Flattery where he encountered the Makah who were stubborn and unwilling to trade with the British. [4]

Ozette Village

The Makah originally resided in present-day Washington and occupied multiple villages all throughout the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula. [5] There are five major villages: Waatch, Sooes, Deah, Ozette, and Bahaada. [6]

One of the most well known, Ozette, was a crucial location for Makah survival. It was the most popular area for whale hunting which was a traditionally significant food source for the tribe. [7] Around roughly 1560 CE or 1700 CE, a mudslide buried Ozette until about 1970 when a storm revealed the village hidden under layers of earth and mud. [8] Archaeologists, with the help from local Makah members and students, worked for years to carefully restore the village as best they could, and learned much about Makah cultures and traditions. [8]

Treaty of Neah Bay

On January 31, 1855, Governor Isaac I. Stevens met with Makah leaders and members, and presented them with the Neah Bay Treaty. The treaty set aside what is now the Makah Reservation for the Makah people to reside in. [9] Though the treaty included many rules and regulations, one of the most well known agreements in the treaty is that it allowed the Makah to legally hunt whales, making it the only treaty between the United States and a tribe that allows for the hunting of whales. [10] In signing and agreeing to the Neah Bay Treaty, the Makah gave up 300,000 acres of their land to the United States in return for a $30,000 annuity, and other agreements such as the right to whaling and sealing. [11]

Culture

Architecture

The excavation of the Ozette village uncovered the traditional longhouses which were roughly 30 by 70 feet and where often composed of five different living quarters, with a fire for cooking purposes at the center of each room. [12] [13] Because the Makah people often moved with the seasons, the longhouses were engineered in a way that allowed for easy removal of certain parts of the house so that they may be utilized in other locations. [13]

Carved masks

The Makah website emphasizes that many Makah members depend on their traditional artistry for income. A popular artwork is carved masks which are made by carvers who use wood and patterns that are unique to the area. The carvings often revolve around key aspects of the Makah culture and are organized with the purpose of relaying a story that is passed down. [14]

Whale hunting

Seeing as the Makah have always lived alongside and around the coast, their traditional foods revolve around marine life. Evidence shows that whales, especially, played a key role in the diet and culture of the Makah. [15] Whale hunting is a special ritual central to the Makah culture: Makah hunters would spend weeks preparing themselves spiritually for the hunt. Paddling out in canoes, the men carefully observe the whales’ breathing and watch for the correct time to strike them with harpoons. Eventually, after following further steps to effectively  kill the whale, the hunters would bring it back to the village where they were greeted with many praises from the villagers. [15] [16]

Geography

Climate

Based on data from the last ten years, the temperature on the Makah Reservation typically ranges from the mid thirties to high sixties (°F), so temperatures are generally on the cooler side all year round with the exception of a few instances. Humidity ranges between 79% and 87%, making it a generally humid location. Furthermore, precipitation tends to be heavier in the winter and spring months, especially in November, December, January, and March where the average precipitation days are higher than other months. [17]

Population

The total recorded population is 1,612 individuals of which the average age comes to roughly 32.6 years. The majority of the population comes from one race where American Indian and Alaska Native, and White are the most predominant. Hispanics or Latinos make up around 120 individuals. [18]

118 individuals are with veteran status; the majority having served in the Vietnam War, or Gulf War in the 1990s. [19]

Education and economy

Education

One of the unique curriculums at the Makah Reservation is the Makah Language Program (MLP) which focuses on carrying and passing along the traditional Makah language, Qʷi·qʷidiččaq, to students. [20]

Out of the 927 individuals twenty-five years or older, 86.4% have at least graduated high school and 14.1% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. [21]

The education department of the Makah Tribe tends to give preference for scholarships to students living on the reservation because there is a better chance that they will return to the reservation and to work for the tribe. Furthermore, students are motivated to seek employment and study areas that would benefit the tribe such as environmental sciences and fisheries. [22]

Employment and income

The unemployment rate is 16.4% for individuals sixteen years of age and older, and the median income for Makah households is roughly $47,000. [23] A rise in tourism, which typically occurs around the summer, leads to a rise in employment for Makah members because there are more employment opportunities. [24] Popular tourist destinations located on the reservation are another major source of income for the Makah. A “Recreation Permit” of twenty dollars is required to access any of the multiple spots throughout the reservation and it boosts the tribe’s economy. [25]

Of 605 employed individuals, 412 -which is the majority- are working what is considered a government job and the runner up is working for a private business or position with 118 individuals. [23]

Each year, the Makah celebrate what they call “Makah Days” which occurs on the weekend nearest to August 26. June 2, 1924, was the day in which the Makah were officially given their right of suffrage, however, the Makah celebrated the anniversary of becoming United States’ citizens on August 26, 1913. The Makah Tribe comes together to organize many events and spectacles for these days, and they welcome others to celebrate with them. [26]

Neah Bay Beaches, such as Hobuck Beach and Shi-Shi Beach, are also popular destinations for many visitors. [27] The Hobuck Beach features the Hobuck Beach Resort for visitors, and they can also choose to take part in events such as the Hobuck Hoedown for entertainment. [28] Shi-Shi Beach is most popular for its trail which is 2.5 miles long and features many sights along the way. [29]

The Cape Flattery Trail is one of the more well-known trails on the Makah Reservation. It has multiple observation points and there is a clear view of Tatoosh Island, an island that is also a part of the Makah Reservation. [30]

The Makah Cultural and Research Center is the museum on the reservation that opened in 1979 and is home to many artifacts relating to Makah history and culture. Many of the objects and exhibits come from the Ozette Archaeological Site and give insight into the traditional Makah way of life. An admission fee is required to enter the museum and it helps support the museum’s financial needs. [31] [32]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clallam County, Washington</span> County in Washington, United States

Clallam County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 77,155, with an estimated population of 77,805 in 2022. The county seat and largest city is Port Angeles; the county as a whole comprises the Port Angeles, WA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The name is a Klallam word for "the strong people". The county was formed on April 26, 1854. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, it is south from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which forms the Canada–US border, as British Columbia's Vancouver Island is across the strait.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neah Bay, Washington</span> CDP in Washington, United States

Neah Bay is a census-designated place (CDP) on the Makah Reservation in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 935 at the 2020 census. It is across the Canada–US border from British Columbia. Originally called "Scarborough Harbour" in honor of Captain James Scarborough of the Hudson's Bay Company, it was changed to Neah in 1847 by Captain Henry Kellett. Kellett spelled it "Neeah Bay". The name "Neah" refers to the Makah Chief Dee-ah, pronounced Neah in the Klallam language. During the summer months, Neah Bay is a popular fishing area for sports fishermen. Another attraction is the Makah Museum, which houses artifacts from a Makah village partly buried by a mudslide around 1750. Many people also visit to hike the Cape Trail or camp at Hobuck Beach. An emergency response tug is stationed at Neah Bay which has saved 41 vessels since its introduction in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makah</span> Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast

The Makah are an Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast living in Washington, in the northwestern part of the continental United States. They are enrolled in the federally recognized Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, commonly known as the Makah Tribe.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wakashan languages</span> Native American language family

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington State Route 112</span>

State Route 112 is a state highway and scenic byway in the U.S. state of Washington. It runs east–west for 61 miles (98 km) along the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Clallam County, connecting the Makah Indian Reservation near Neah Bay to U.S. Route 101 (US 101) near Port Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tatoosh Island, Washington</span>

Tatoosh Island is a small island and small group of islands about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) offshore (northwest) of Cape Flattery, which is on the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Tatoosh is the largest of a small group of islands also often referred to as simply "Tatoosh Island", which are almost as far west as Cape Alava, which is about 15 miles (24 km) to the south and the westernmost point in the contiguous 48 states. The islands are part of the Makah Reservation and a part of Clallam County. The total land area of the island group is 159,807 square metres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Flattery</span> Headland in Washington state, United States

Cape Flattery is the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States. It is in Clallam County, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca joins the Pacific Ocean. It is also part of the Makah Reservation, and is the northern boundary of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Cape Flattery can be reached from a short hike, most of which is boardwalked. The westernmost point in the contiguous United States is at Cape Alava, south of Cape Flattery in Olympic National Park. However, the westernmost tip of Cape Flattery is almost exactly as far west as Cape Alava, the difference being approximately 5 seconds of longitude, about 360 feet (110 m), at high tide and somewhat more at low tide.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makah Museum</span> Archaeological and anthropological museum in Washington, U.S.

The Makah Museum also known as the Makah Cultural and Research Center is an archaeological and anthropological museum on the Makah Indian reservation in Neah Bay, Washington. It houses and interprets artifacts from the Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site, a Makah village partly buried by a mudslide at Lake Ozette around 1750, providing a snapshot of pre-contact tribal life. The museum includes a replica long house and thousands of artifacts of interest to academics and laypeople, including canoes, basketry, whaling and fishing gear.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site</span> United States historic place

The Ozette Native American Village Archeological Site is the site of an archaeological excavation on the Olympic Peninsula near Neah Bay, Washington, United States. The site was a village occupied by the Ozette Makah people until a mudslide inundated the site around the year 1750. It is located in the now unpopulated Ozette Indian Reservation.

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Edward Eugene Claplanhoo was an American Makah elder and former chairman of the Makah Tribe, located on the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. Claplanhoo was the first Makah to earn a bachelor's degree. Claplanhoo was the chairman of the Makah during the excavation of the Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site in the 1970s. He is credited with keeping the artifacts uncovered at Ozette in Neah Bay. Under his leadership, the Makah Museum, which houses the Ozette collection, was established at Neah Bay in 1979. He also established Fort Núñez Gaona–Diah Veterans Park in Neah Bay in 2008.

Richard Deo Daugherty was an American archaeologist and professor, who led the excavation of the Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site in Washington state during the 1970s. The Ozette Indian Village, which was buried and preserved in a mudslide in the 1700s, has been called "the most significant archaeological dig of the 20th century" in the Pacific Northwest. Daugherty collaborated closely with the Makah during the dig, which uncovered more than 55,000 artifacts.

Makah Bay is a bay in Clallam County, Washington, United States, located near the community of Neah Bay. Both the Waatch and Tsoo-Yess Rivers flow into this bay.

Bender "Ben" Johnson Jr. was an American Makah politician and fisheries expert. He served as the chairman and member of the Makah Tribal Council from 1998 until 2000 and from 2001 until 2007. He was chairman of the Makah during the first successful hunt of a Pacific gray whale in 1999. The 1999 hunt, which took a 30-ton 30 1/2-foot female gray whale, was the first harvest of a whale by the Makah since the 1920s. Johnson supported the hunt, which drew worldwide attention and controversy.

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References

  1. ↑ "Makah Tribal Council" . Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  2. ↑ 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. "My Tribal Area". United States Census Bureau.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ "Olympic Peninsula Community Museum - Online Exhibits - Makah Culture". content.lib.washington.edu. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest". www.washington.edu. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Makah | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington): Tribal Info, History and More". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  7. ↑ CoastView. "Ozette Village, Cape Alava | CoastView" . Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Ozette Archaeological Site". SAH ARCHIPEDIA. January 15, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest". www.washington.edu. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Makah Tribe". iwc.int. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest". www.washington.edu. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington): Tribal Info, History and More". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Olympic Peninsula Community Museum - Online Exhibits - Makah Culture". content.lib.washington.edu. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Makah: About the Tribe - Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington)". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Makah Tribe". iwc.int. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Makah Whaling & Whale Hunt - Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington)". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  17. ↑ WeatherWX. "Makah Indian Reservation WA Climate Averages, Monthly Weather Conditions". WeatherWX.com. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  18. ↑ Center for New Media & Promotion (CNMP), US Census Bureau. "My Tribal Area". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Census profile: Makah Indian Reservation". Census Reporter. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Makah Language Program - Makah Museum (Neah Bay, Washington)". Makah Museum. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  21. ↑ Center for New Media & Promotion (CNMP), US Census Bureau. "My Tribal Area". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  22. ↑ "NCAI Publication | NCAI". www.ncai.org. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  23. 1 2 Center for New Media & Promotion (CNMP), US Census Bureau. "My Tribal Area". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  24. ↑ NPAIHB. "Makah Tribe". Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Neah Bay Activities and Attractions: Makah Tribe: Neah Bay, Washington". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Makah Days - Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington)". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Neah Bay Beaches - Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington)". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Hobuck Beach - Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington)". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Shi Shi Beach - Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington)". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Cape Flattery Trail - Makah Tribe (Neah Bay, Washington)". Makah Tribe. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Visiting Makah Museum and Cultural and Research Center (Neah Bay, WA)". Makah Museum. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Makah Museum Hours & Admission - Makah Museum (Neah Bay, WA)". Makah Museum. Retrieved May 12, 2022.

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