Quileute Nation Online store gaining media attention

Quileute Nation Online store gaining media attention

This paddle necklace is one of the items Quileute Tribal School children are making for the tribe's e-commerce site inspired by the Twilight books and movies.




LAPUSH -- The Quileute tribe has launched a Web site to sell Twilight-themed merchandise handcrafted by tribal artisans.

Cedar wolf rattles and paddles, woven cedar baskets and hats, canned smoked salmon and other goods are available at www.twilight-quileute.com.

"Traveling across our great country and observing other native tribes commercially marketing their wares in a successful and respectful manner motivated us to explore the concept of promoting culturally appropriate authentic Quileute items online," said Chairwoman Anna Rose Counsell-Geyer.

"Though we began this exploration prior to the Twilight phenomenon, I am delighted for the artisans in the village who have a global audience interested in owning a part of authentic Quileute culture, and thrilled we can share our art with fans and collectors who are unable to visit LaPush personally."

Students at the Quileute Tribal School made hand-cut cedar paddle necklaces which are modeled after the ones worn by the character Emily in the movie, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," which was based on the second book in the Twilight series, New Moon.

Author Stephenie Meyer set her four-novel vampire series in Forks, Port Angeles and LaPush.

All of the proceeds from the sale of the necklaces, which retail for $20 each, benefit the nonprofit tribal school.

The site also will feature information on all of the connections the tribe has to Twilight.

The ReelzChannel filmed a segment on the reservation in September 2009 as part of its "Twilight Weekly: Spotlight" which contains interviews with elders and other information about the tribe and LaPush.

Other tribal pictures -- such as those taken in November 2009 at the "New Moon" premiere -- will also be available on the Web site.

"I think the fans will enjoy seeing the members of the Quileute Tribal Council and youth from the village pictured with the stars of the movies," said tribal spokeswoman Jackie Jacobs.

"Moreover, I think they will find it interesting that the previous Chairwoman Carol Hatch ran into Stephenie Meyer on the red carpet and the current Chairwoman Counsell-Geyer met Stephenie inside the Fox theatre right before the movie started.

"That's the kind of information we plan to reveal on the video blog page of the site."

The site will also be used for the tribe to communicate is perspective on Twilight and other areas of interest.

"I think it is great that the Quileute now have this venue to communicate with the world their perspective on things and I know people will be very surprised by some of the information to be shared in the future," Jacobs said.