WHC Advisory Board Member

Pearl Capoeman-Baller

Quinault Tribe, Tahola

Pearl Capoeman-Baller, a Quinault Tribal member, served as the President of the Quinault Indian Nation and Executive Director of the Nation’s administrative unit for 13 years. She is married with two children and one little red head granddaughter named Chase McKenzie Baller and a grandson, born September 10, 2004 Tutesum (Quinault-Strong Hunter of the Valley) James Baller. Pearl and her husband John reside on the Quinault reservation near Taholah, Washington.

Ms. Capoeman-Baller grew up in an extended family environment. Her mother died of cancer when Pearl was 5 and her father was highly involved in the political arena. As a result, though Pearl saw her father almost daily, she was raised mostly by older family members – grandparents and great uncles and aunts. From each, Pearl believes she was given something that helps her to lead her people.

Pearl got her start in the political arena as a founding member of the Quinault Teen Council in the late 1960’s. They held their own elections, were given seed money, and developed policies that they had to manage. Pearl finished high school, attended college, and then took a position as an administrative secretary for the Nation. At the age of 19 Pearl was elected to serve on the Tribal Council. Since then, Ms. Capoeman Baller has held several Officer positions on the Council: Tribal Secretary, Vice President, and President since 1993. In addition, Pearl has served as the Assistant Director of Administration, Director of Administration, and now, Executive Director for the Nation’s administrative unit.

Throughout her tenure Pearl has served on numerous organizations. Some of the organizations she has served on include the following:

• HHS Consultation Task Force Team, Co-Chair
• IHS Consultation Task Force Team, Co-Chair
• Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, Member, Secretary, Vice Chair, and Current Chairman.
• National Tribal Environmental Council-Delegate, and Current Chair
• National American Delegate to Trust for Public Lands Board
• Secretary Washington State Tribal Leaders Association
• National Congress of American Indians
• Affiliated Tribes of Norwest Indians
• Tribal Caucus Member- (AIEO)
• Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services, Tribal Technical Advisory Grout (TTAG) Representative 2003
• Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
• National Indian Health Board, Board Member
• National Tribal Development Association
• Elks Club
• Quinault Enrollment Committee
• Quinault Fish & Game Committee
• Quinault Land & Timber Enterprises Board of Directors
• Quinault Indian Nation Health Board.

Pearl has received many acknowledgements and awards in recognition for her contributions to Indian Country. She was acknowledged by the National Indian Health Board for her many years of service; was chosen as the delegate of the year by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board for 1991 and 1996; was one of several Indian women honored at a conference hosted by the Pine Ridge Sioux; Was honored by the Chippewa Cree for being an outstanding leader; Was one of sixteen tribal leaders selected to participate in the first ever Tribal-White House meeting; participated as a key tribal leader in the first ever National Tribal Listening Conference; received certificates throughout her leadership from the Indian Health Service for serving on numerous task forces; was selected to testify before Congress, and was a Native American delegate at the National Democratic Convention in 1996 and 2000.