We told you about the concerns the Quileuete Nation has regarding Tsunamis. Anyone who has ever visited La Push can’t but help to have noticed the tsunami evacuation route signage. Now local Washington State news crews are also covering the story.

Tribal Chairwoman Cleveland has asked help from the American public. Cleveland says, “The introduction of the legislation is just the first step. We need the support of the American public to get this legislation passed. Please…contact your legislators and ask them to support the Quileute Tsunami Protection legislation. The Quileute Tribe is grateful for your support.”

The first time we went to La Push the one thing that struck us were all the tsunami escape route signs that you see. We often think of Tsunamis as something affecting Asia, but they are a very real danger to those living on the Pacific Coast. Residents in California experienced destruction of property from the recent Tsunami as seen in this video. Imagine what would have happened if the quake was in North America and people didn’t have hours to prepare, and the relatively insignificant destruction of property was instead lost human life. In fact, in the year 1700 there was a major quake in the Canadian/US border( estimated 8.0) resulting in a Tsunami that caused mass destruction across the Pacific.

The Quileuete Nation needs your help. They have made a video and have pending legislation to allow them to better defend themselves against threats of nature. Please call your senators and tell them that you support this legislation.

The Quileute Tribe is utilizing a newly released video to assist in educating the public about the tsunami and flooding dangers facing the tribe. Situated along the Pacific Ocean and bordering the Olympic National Park, the members of the tiny one square mile fishing village are placing their hopes of moving to higher ground on the recently filed Quileute Tsunami Protection legislation (HR 1162) introduced on March 17, 2011 by Congressman Norm Dicks and Senator Maria Cantwell (D).

The video is posted on the Quileute Nation website at http://www.quileutenation.org/ and on the tribe’s Youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYksWOoP9pU.

Chairwoman Bonita Cleveland states, “This video is a very important educational tool for us to share with the public because it shows the urgency and need for the passage of this newly introduced legislation. It will explain the importance of us being able to relocate to higher ground the entire lower village which houses our administrative offices, tribal school, senior center, churches and the US Coast Guard Station that protects Tribal fishermen. It demonstrates the need for the safety of all our tribal members. The only hope the Tribe has to increase the amount of land available for traditional, religious and cultural use, housing and education is for historic Quileute lands held by the federal government to be transferred back to the Tribe.”

The video also shares footage of the Japanese tsunami. Cleveland shares, “Like everyone around the world watching the images on television, it is heart wrenching to see the loss of life and devastation, and the Quileute people’s thoughts are with our brothers and sisters in Japan. We continue to send prayers to everyone impacted by this catastrophe. Sadly, it also emphasizes the urgent and immediate need for the Quileute Tribe to move to higher ground, so we are grateful for the introduction of this critical legislation by Congressman Dicks and Senator Cantwell.”

The video provides significant insight into the many years the tribe has devoted to the quest to attain the lands needed to move to higher ground.

Cleveland says, “The introduction of the legislation is just the first step. We need the support of the American public to get this legislation passed. Please watch these videos and share them with your friends and family and then contact your legislators and ask them to support the Quileute Tsunami Protection legislation. The Quileute Tribe is grateful for your support.”

The Quileute Nation has added some new offerings to their store just in time for Christmas. Many of the items feature a photo of James Island, which is the rock formation that many envision as where the cliff diving would have taken place.

Check out the store here.

This just in from the Quileute Nation:

The Quileute Nation and the Quileute Store are excited to announce a liquidation sale on Quileute Days Gear. Prices on 2009 Quileute Days t-shirts are cut more than 50% while supplies last (prices exclude shipping and handling). Quileute Days is the annual festival celebrating Quileute culture and heritage, held in Late July.

Attendees of past festivals include Tinsel Korey (Emily) in 2009, and Gil Birmingham (Billy Black) in 2010.

Supplies are limited, so hurry to http://www.quileute-store.com to purchase your t-shirt now! The shirts can be found under the link for “Quileute Days Gear.”One of the four styles of shirts is pictured to the left.

While at the Quileute Store, also be sure to check out other authentic Quileute and “Twilight Saga” inspired merchandise!

We are also thrilled to be presenting for sale 2010 Quileute Days t-shirts! The shirt’s back design portrays a traditional Quileute dancer designed by Quileute local artist and carver, Dave Jackson, Jr. Quantities and sizes are limited, so be sure to check out our new offerings today!

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) will have a display about the Quileute Nation up for the next year. The Quileute Nation elders wanted the full story of their people out so that the fictionalized account in Twilight was not the only version readily seen by the public.

“A runaway sensation in the wider world, the “Twilight” saga has had little impact on some here. When asked about the movies and books, David Hudson, the tribe’s traditional chief, wrinkles his brow as if at a faraway noise.

“We live our culture here,” Hudson said. “We have our ocean, clams, smelt. Halibut. The woods are at our back door, with elk, cedar, bear and deer for our carving and regalia and our food. Our songs are our identity, and we can sing for hours and hours.”

Fog cruises in from the vast Pacific as he talks; the sea stacks and James Island just offshore ease in and out of view. Songs and drums boom out the door of the community center. Over at the downtown dock, tribal fishermen brought in so much halibut, they are giving it away.

“That is what we mean by rich,” Hudson says.”

The overall reception of Twilight is a mixed bag. See more at the Seattle Times.