Edward Eugene Claplanhoo facts for kids

Edward Eugene Claplanhoo (born August 8, 1928 – died March 14, 2010) was an important elder and former leader of the Makah Tribe. The Makah people live on the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. Edward Claplanhoo was the first Makah person to earn a bachelor's degree from college. He led the Makah Tribe during the exciting discovery and digging up of the Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site in the 1970s. Thanks to his efforts, the ancient items found at Ozette stayed in Neah Bay. Under his leadership, the Makah Museum was built in Neah Bay in 1979 to keep these treasures safe. He also helped create the Fort Núñez Gaona–Diah Veterans Park in Neah Bay in 2008.

About Edward Claplanhoo

His Early Life and Schooling

Edward Claplanhoo was born on August 8, 1928. He was adopted by Arthur and Ruth Claplanhoo and grew up in Neah Bay, Washington, on the Makah Indian Reservation. His mother, Ruth, was a skilled cedar basket weaver. She was also the last person to speak the Makah language fluently. Edward's father, Art, worked as a fire lookout for the government's forestry division.

In 1947, Edward started college at Washington State College (now Washington State University). He received a full scholarship to study there. While in college, he joined the ROTC. He was drafted into the United States Army on November 17, 1950. He served in different places, including Washington state, California, Thule, Greenland, and France. He rose to the rank of sergeant first class.

After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1952, Claplanhoo returned to Washington State College. In 1956, he earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture and forestry. This made him the very first Makah person to graduate from college. Soon after, he began working for the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Leading the Makah Tribe

In 1970, a big winter storm uncovered an ancient village at Cape Alava. This site is now known as the Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site. A mudslide had buried the village in the 1700s. Edward Claplanhoo was the chairman of the Makah Tribe at that time. He quickly understood how important this discovery was. He contacted Richard Daugherty, an archeologist from Washington State University.

Edward Claplanhoo and Richard Daugherty worked together to protect the amazing items found at Ozette. Claplanhoo worked hard to convince researchers and state officials to keep the artifacts on Makah land. He was a key person in creating the Makah Museum in Neah Bay. This museum is part of the Makah Cultural and Research Center. It opened in 1979 and is where the Ozette artifacts are kept today. In 2010, Ruth Kirk, who wrote a book about the Ozette dig, said that Edward and Dick were essential. She explained that usually, artifacts were taken to universities. But here, the Makah wanted them to stay in Neah Bay, and Edward made that happen.

Claplanhoo stayed very involved in his community. He was the chairman of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation in Seattle. He also helped the Makah committee that encouraged higher education. He was an elder at the Neah Bay Assembly of God Church. Edward Claplanhoo was also a member of the Makah Whaling Commission. This commission gained worldwide attention when the Makah hunted a gray whale in May 1999. This was after they had not hunted whales for seventy-five years. The Makah are the only tribe allowed to hunt whales in the continental United States. This right was given to them in an 1855 treaty.

Fort Núñez Gaona–Diah Veterans Park

Edward Claplanhoo and his wife, Thelma, along with two other Makah families, gave land to create the Fort Núñez Gaona–Diah Veterans Park in Neah Bay. This happened in May 2008. The land had been passed down from Edward's parents. After his father died in 1973, Edward and his mother, Ruth, inherited the property together. Edward told his mother he wanted to build a memorial for Neah Bay's military veterans on the land. His mother agreed to the idea.

Fort Núñez Gaona–Diah Veterans Park is located where a Spanish fort once stood. This fort, called Fort Núñez Gaona, was built in 1792. It was the first European settlement west of the Rocky Mountains and north of San Francisco in the continental United States. Spanish explorer Salvador Fidalgo arrived on May 29, 1792. He soon built the fort near the Makah village of Deah, which is now Neah Bay. The Spanish were forced to leave after four months of attacks led by Makah Chief Tetaku.

Claplanhoo knew about the history of his property for a long time. He even placed a memorial sign there. He started planning for a full park after talking with Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen in 2002. Edward became even more interested when Owen invited him and Thelma to an exhibit in 2004. This exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum was about Spanish exploration. Important guests like King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain were also there. Claplanhoo was impressed to see sketches of Makah people and their canoes next to Spanish ships. Soon, plans began to create the Fort Núñez Gaona–Diah Veterans Park. Claplanhoo worked closely with the Makah Tribal Council, the Lieutenant Governor's office, and the government of Spain. The Embassy of Spain, Washington, D.C. also donated $40,000 to help build the memorial.

Later Life and Legacy

In 2008, Edward Claplanhoo was honored by being added to the Washington State University Wall of Fame. This special honor is given to only one percent of the university's past students.

Edward Claplanhoo passed away from a heart attack on March 14, 2010, at 81 years old. He had some heart problems later in his life. He was survived by his wife, Thelma, his daughter Karen, and his son Vern. He also had five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Nearly 1,000 people attended his memorial service in Neah Bay. He was buried at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.

The 2010 Makah Days celebration, held every August, was the first time since 1965 that Claplanhoo did not serve as the master of ceremonies.