Sharp elected to fourth term as Quinault Indian Nation President

Fawn Sharp was re-elected over the weekend to a fourth term as president of the Quinault Indian Nation, culminating the tribe’s two-day annual General Council Meeting in Taholah.

Tyson Johnston, previously elected as first Councilperson, was elected as the Tribe’s Vice President, Larry Ralston was voted in for a third term as Quinault Treasurer, Gina James was elected to First Council and Latosha Underwood was elected to her third term as Tribal Secretary.

As President, Sharp presides over the eleven-member Quinault Business Committee, the governing body of the Quinault Indian Nation, which is elected by the adult tribal membership, or general council, at regular annual meetings.

At Saturday’s meeting, Sharp spoke of both difficulties the tribe faces as well as assets the nation has.

“…Challenges, by definition, are obstacles that can be met and overcome, and as we do overcome them we will grow,” she said, according to a Quinault news release.

She commended the tribe’s moves toward economic self-reliance, both through tribal owned business and individual tribal free enterprise.

Sharp received her law degree from the University of Washington, School of Law and she also holds an advanced certificate in International Human Rights Law from Oxford University. She received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Gonzaga University. She is also president of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and Northwest Regional vice president of the National Congress of American Indians.

Johnston says he hopes to follow through on issues of concern raised by the General Council and support President Sharp in overcoming the obstacles the nation faces.