Tribe director works to bring respect to Quileutes affected by increased Twilight tourism

No doubt spurred by the generous influx in tourism thanks to the popularity of Twilight, the executive director of the Quileute tribe in La Push recently brought forth to the Forks Chamber of Commerce a development plan for incoming visitors.

Says Forks Forum:

Properly interpreting the Quileute culture to the thousands of visitors now coming to LaPush each year is a key goal of a planned expansion to the tribe’s beachfront resort.

“This would provide the way for people who visit to show respect,” Quileute Tribe Executive Director Bill Peach told members of the Forks Chamber of Commerce.

He said a prominent display of information about the Quileute culture is needed to inform visitors to the Quileute reservation at LaPush about the Quileute culture.

The lack of such displays sometimes leads to an inadvertent show of disrespect by visitors to the Quileute people, he said.

An example would be removing as souvenirs stones, sand and wood from First Beach at LaPush, a stretch of beach the tribe considers sacred.

Boosting the Quileute Tribe’s resort development plans, some of which have been in the planning stage for years, is the arrival of thousands of Twilight fans from across the globe.

Fictional Quileute youth Jacob Black plays a key role in the book series as a love interest of Bella Swan, the main character in the mega-selling book and film series.

Though this news is not surprising, fans of all ages and walks of life can take extra precautions before visiting the tourist hot spot.

Likewise, the topic of respect can be re-iterated with teens, beginning with the American Indian Code of Ethics, which provides a comprehensive laundry list of respect-enriched gestures:

Respect: Respect means "To feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something; to consider the wellbeing of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy". Showing respect is a basic law of life.

• • Treat every person from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect at all times.
• • Special respect should be given to Elders, Parents, Teachers and Community Leaders.
• • No person should be made to feel "put down" by you; avoid hurting other hearts as you would avoid a deadly poison.
• • Touch nothing that belongs to someone else (especially Sacred Objects) without permission, or an understanding between you.
• • Respect the privacy of every person; never intrude on a person's quiet moment or personal space.
• • Never walk between people who are conversing.
• • Never interrupt people who are conversing.
• • Speak in a soft voice, especially when you are in the presence of Elders, strangers or others to whom special respect is due.
• • Do not speak unless invited to do so at gatherings where Elders are present (except to ask what is expected of you, should you be in doubt).
• • Never speak about others in a negative way, whether they are present or not.
• • Treat the earth and all of her aspects as your mother. Show deep respect for the mineral world, the plant world and the animal world. Do nothing to pollute our Mother; rise up with wisdom to defend her.
• • Show deep respect for the beliefs and religion of others.
• • Listen with courtesy to what others say, even if you feel that what they are saying is worthless. Listen with your heart.

Whether visiting Forks, La Push, or the neighbor down the street, always remembering to show respect is a vital, yet sorely lacked step to maintaining the integrity of ourselves and others. These core ideals are basics that should be instilled like reflexes within your children.

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