Twilight fans fund Quileute Tribe’s relocation Project
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Twilight Saga fans are raising money for the Quileute Tribe of Washington state to help them move to higher ground, addressing a historical lack of compensation for the use of their culture in the popular book and film series.
The Quileute people have lived along the Pacific coast for generations, but erosion and the threat of tsunamis have put their current town of La Push at risk.
Years of advocacy led to President Obama signing legislation in 2012 returning 280 acres of Olympic National Park land to the tribe for a relocation project. The tribe has faced challenges securing full funding for the multi-phase project, which will create an upper village with housing, a school, and tribal government offices.
While the Twilight franchise generated over $3.3 billion globally, the Quileute Tribe did not receive royalties despite the series drawing on their traditions and portraying them as shape-shifting werewolves. Some fans, like Kayla Parker, feel a responsibility to address this imbalance. Fans are organizing fundraisers through social media groups, raffles, and personal donations. Gisselle Hernandez, CEO of Glamlite Cosmetics, donated a five-figure sum and promoted the tribe’s efforts, even facing backlash from the franchise’s licensor for doing so.
Author Kelsey McKnight also hosted a raffle to include a fan-created character in her book series, raising over $1,000 for the project. The Quileute Tribal Council expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing that every contribution helps ensure the tribe's future safety and well-being.
