The Makah are the southernmost of the Wakashan linguistic group, and the only member of this family living within the current boundaries of the United States.

In 1855 they ceded all their lands to the United States except a small area on Cape Flattery that was set aside as a reservation.

[4] The Makah originally resided in present-day Washington and occupied multiple villages all throughout the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula.

[8] On January 31, 1855, Governor Isaac I. Stevens met with Makah leaders and members, and presented them with the Neah Bay Treaty.

[10] In signing and agreeing to the Neah Bay Treaty, the Makah gave up 300,000 acres of their land to the United States in return for a $30,000 annuity, and other agreements such as the right to whaling and sealing.

[11] The excavation of the Ozette village uncovered the traditional longhouses which were roughly 30 by 70 feet and where often composed of five different living quarters, with a fire for cooking purposes at the center of each room.

[12][13] Because the Makah people often moved with the seasons, the longhouses were engineered in a way that allowed for easy removal of certain parts of the house so that they may be utilized in other locations.

The carvings often revolve around key aspects of the Makah culture and are organized with the purpose of relaying a story that is passed down.

Paddling out in canoes, the men carefully observe the whales’ breathing and watch for the correct time to strike them with harpoons.

[20] Out of the 927 individuals twenty-five years or older, 86.4% have at least graduated high school and 14.1% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Furthermore, students are motivated to seek employment and study areas that would benefit the tribe such as environmental sciences and fisheries.

[22] The unemployment rate is 16.4% for individuals sixteen years of age and older, and the median income for Makah households is roughly $47,000.

A “Recreation Permit” of twenty dollars is required to access any of the multiple spots throughout the reservation and it boosts the tribe’s economy.