Quileute Culture and the Impacts of European Colonization

Traditional Quileute Culture 

The Quileute tribe has a rich cultural history, as addressed by my previous post on the Quileute creation story. As a brief overview, the Quileute people lived off of the ocean for thousands of years prior to European contact. Since they relied on of the ocean, they developed advanced canoes out of red cedar trees, which were specifically designed for various uses, including maritime travel. Quileute people enjoyed competitive games, dancing, singing, and oral storytelling. They also made intricate baskets, blankets, tools, and other items that they used in daily life.

For more information on traditional Quileute life and culture, visit the tribe’s website.

European Impact on Quileute Culture

European colonization and the subsequent involvement of the young U.S. in Quileute affairs had severe impacts on the culture and livelihood of many Native American tribes, including the Quileute tribe. While European contact with Quileutes began in the 1700s, the influence of European culture was not prominent until 1882, when A.W. Smith opened a school in LaPush, according to information provided on the tribe’s website. At this school, A.W. Smith and his wife gave Quileute children biblical names and taught American history (Quileute Nation; McKimmie). The formation of schools for Native children was a crucial aspect of this era of bringing European “civilization” to Indigenous people, such as the Quileutes. Many of these schools served to condition children to adopt European culture. For instance, it was common for children to be removed from their homes (to better assimilate them into European “civilization”) and they were taught to “dress” and “act” white (McKimmie). Over time, the European intrusion into the lives of Quileutes forced many to forsake much of their traditional life and culture in order to adapt. For instance, Heather McKimmie provides an analysis of the European impact on Quileute culture and way of life, based on Quileute newspapers from 1908-1910. According to McKimmie’s findings: “…many Quileutes altered their traditional religious beliefs and accepted the white man’s education in pursuit of a better future”.

While the influx of European involvement in Quileute education was detrimental to the Quileute peoples’ cultural identity and way of life, other European actions served to inhibit the tribe’s ability to preserve their culture and history. For instance, only a few years after A.W. Smith opened a school in LaPush, every home on the reservation was destroyed through arson committed by a European settler over a territory conflict (Quileute Nation). Unfortunately, this act destroyed something much more valuable than homes. While structures can be rebuilt, the fire also destroyed the only remaining, tangible items at LaPush that resembled their traditional culture and way of life, before it was corrupted by European contact (Quileute Nation). Among the precious items destroyed: “the last carved masks, baskets, hunting equipment, and sacred regalia from pre-contact days” (Quileute Nation).

Why Twilight Matters

While European colonialism had devastating impacts on Quileute culture, the tribe is dedicated to restoring key aspects of their culture. For instance, in 2007 the tribe enacted the Quileute Revitalization Project to promote language restoration (Quileute Nation). It’s clear that their culture and history is very important to the Quileute tribe, which is why the inaccurate depiction of the tribe’s origin story cannot be left unacknowledged. As I addressed in my last post, the Twilight Saga turned the Quileute creation story into mainstream fiction. While the tribe is making strides in restoring their culture, the decades in which their lands, livelihood, and culture was decimated by European colonization and U.S. involvement have a lasting impact today that cannot be forgotten.  Which is why it’s so important to note this modern example of misrepresenting and disrespecting the Quileute culture.

References: 

Quileute Nation:

“History.” Quileute Nation, quileutenation.org/history/.

“The Quileute Language.” Quileute Nation, quileutenation.org/language/.