Quinault Indian Nation plans relocation to combat flooding
The Quinault Indian Nation in Washington State is relocating Taholah village to higher ground to mitigate flood risks exacerbated by climate change.
Mark Trahant and Stewart Huntington report for ICT.
In short:
- Taholah is currently vulnerable to frequent flooding from storm surges and rising sea levels, prompting the relocation initiative.
- The new village will be situated about a half-mile uphill, incorporating sustainable and resilient building practices.
- Financial challenges remain, with projected housing costs between $350,000 and $400,000, potentially unaffordable for many tribal members.
Key quote:
"It's almost like a geyser shooting through the rocks."
— Ryan Hendricks, tribal council member, Quinault Indian Nation
Why this matters:
As the planet warms, many locations once thought ideal for settlement are becoming untenable. The Quinault Indian Nation’s decision to relocate is a reminder of the adaptability and resilience of Indigenous communities, yet it also raises important questions about the responsibility of governmental and international bodies in supporting vulnerable populations in the face of climate change.
The trickle of climate-related migration is already upon us: The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre estimates that 1.68 million Americans were internally displaced by disasters in 2017.
