The Quinault Indian Nation wishes to share a message in good faith with President-Elect Donald Trump, according to President Fawn Sharp.

“While we admit that Mr. Trump’s election was a surprise to us, and that we are concerned regarding the unknown directions that a Trump presidency will take, we recognize and acknowledge the democratic process of this country and fully intend to stay true to the nation-to-nation relations mandated by the U.S. Constitution,” said President Sharp, who is also President of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians.

Sharp and the Quinault Business Committee concurred Wednesday morning that it is critically important for the Quinault Nation to stay true to its ideals, visions and objectives, to work with the new administration whenever possible and to protect the sanctity and principles of its treaty and inherent rights.

“We will work with our federal partners, delegations and incoming elected leadership to develop transition priorities. We hope to build on the gains Indian Country has made these past several years. Tribal issues are non-partisan issues and when an elected leader takes an oath of office to uphold the United States Constitution that oath includes upholding our treaties, which it identifies as the Supreme Law of the Land,” said Sharp.

“Many of our concerns are based on what we have seen and heard of this man who will step into the Oval Office on Jan. 20,” said Sharp. “We have made progress under the Obama administration, but there is still progress to make before our people receive equitable opportunity with other Americans. We hope the Donald Trump we will see in the White House will be a tempered version of the man we saw on the campaign trail, that he will be true to his word to be “presidential” as the leader of the United States and that he meant what he said in his acceptance speech yesterday.”

In that speech he said, “I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all of Americans, and this is so important to me. For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country. … The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.”

Sharp pointed out that Native Americans have often been “forgotten” and that although progress has been made through the years in U.S.-Tribal relations there continues to be need for federal leadership in achieving the untapped potential of that relationship.

“We will gladly accept his offer to provide guidance and help in working with Native American nations,” said President Sharp. “We would first suggest that he include tribal leaders on his transition team, plan to include them on his staff and in his cabinet and plan to listen to what they have to say about tribal rights, treaties, needs and sovereignty,” she said.

In Trump’s acceptance speech he also said, “It is a movement comprised of Americans from all races, religions, backgrounds, and beliefs, who want and expect our government to serve the people — and serve the people it will. Working together, we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation and renewing the American dream. I’ve spent my entire life in business, looking at the untapped potential in projects and in people all over the world. That is now what I want to do for our country. Tremendous potential. I’ve gotten to know our country so well. Tremendous potential. It is going to be a beautiful thing. Every single American will have the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.”

Sharp said there is vast potential in true government-to-government relations between the U.S. and Native American nations.

“President-elect Trump must open his heart to the tribes. We are the people who have lived on this continent for thousands of years and who live by a heritage that has much to offer. We have many needs, but we make major contributions to this country,” she said.

The Trump campaign did announce it had formed a Native American Coalition two weeks ago, naming Congressman Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., as chairman. Rep. Mullin, a member of the Cherokee Nation, is one of two tribal members in Congress. (Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., of the Chickasaw Nation, is the other.)

“There are two paths the Trump administration will be able to choose from. The best path by far will be the one of progress, the one marked by the unity spoken of in his acceptance speech. It will be much better to work together than it will be to choose a path of confrontation,” said Sharp.

Sharp encouraged the president-elect to particularly reach out to tribal leaders in the state of Washington to gain a broader understanding of the benefits of government-to-government cooperation. She pointed out that most of the executive officers serving the National Congress of American Indians are currently from Washington tribes. In non-tribal government, such leaders as Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Patty Murray and Congressmen Denny Heck and Derek Kilmer — all of whom were re-elected last night — have extensive experience working with tribal governments.

“Here in Washington we have all benefited from cooperative programs for many years. Such processes as fisheries co-management and the Centennial Accord have proved worthwhile for all concerned,” she said.

“Our council truly understands the concern being felt by Native Americans all across the land. We do share it. But we encourage our citizens and others to remain calm. Have faith and trust that the creator will guide us along this path,” she said.

“As his holiness the Dalai Lama wrote earlier this week, what unites us is ‘a shared belief and compassion in human dignity in the intrinsic usefulness of every person to contribute positively in a better and more meaningful world.’ ”