Successful APA CPAT Project at the Quinault Indian Nation

Michael Cardwell, AICP, Tribal Planning Committee Chair

Source: American Planning Association

CPAT on the beach	CPAT with QIN President Fawn Sharp

The Quinault Indian Nation (QIN), through its Community Development and Planning department, requested a CPAT to help engage the community and assess the potential of Point Haynisisoos (pronounced Hun’is’shu), a culturally significant site. Haynisisoos means "Thundering Elk", which was the Native name of the Tribal Elder to whom the cultural site is dedicated. Point Haynisisoos is a rocky promontory on the Pacific Ocean coastline of the Quinault Indian Reservation, located on the southwestern corner of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.

The Point holds special significance to the Quinault for a variety of reasons. Most recently, the Point took on new significance as the host site for a regional intertribal event known as the Paddle, a canoe journey undertaken by tribes of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia to a rotating set of host reservations. The QIN envisions the Point and surrounding area as its permanent site for hosting the gathering into the future, but is also interested in planning for the area beyond just the Paddle.

The team’s report provides three concepts for Point Haynisisoos that emerged from their engagement with the community and existing data and information. The concepts explore broad themes with specific ideas around access, cultural and environmental stewardship, and economic development. In addition, the report discusses potential next steps, including financing.