Hazel Sampson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hazel Sampson
|
|
|---|---|
Ms. Hazel M. Sampson in 2011, aged 100
|
|
| Born |
Hazel Hall
May 26, 1910 |
| Died | February 4, 2014 (aged 103) |
| Nationality | American/Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Washington |
| Known for | Tribal elder Last native speaker of the Klallam language. |
| Spouse(s) | Edward C. Sampson |
| Parent(s) | William Hall, Ida Balch Hall |
| Relatives | Grandfather, James Balch |
Hazel M. Sampson (May 26, 1910 – February 4, 2014) was a very important elder from the Klallam Tribe in America. She was the very last person who spoke the Klallam language as her first language, meaning she learned it from birth. She also worked hard to help save and preserve the Klallam language for future generations. At the time she passed away in 2014, she was the oldest member of the Klallam communities. She belonged to the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Washington.
The Klallam language is still spoken today by some people as a second language. These speakers live in four different Klallam communities. They are the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Washington, and the Port Gamble Band of S'Klallam Indians in Washington. There is also the Beecher Bay Klallam community in British Columbia, Canada.
Contents
Hazel Sampson's Early Life
Hazel Sampson was born on May 26, 1910. Her birth name was Hazel Hall. She was born in Jamestown, Washington. Her parents were William Hall and Ida Balch Hall.
Hazel's grandfather was Chief James Balch. He was the person who founded the town of Jamestown. He also helped create the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Washington.
Her parents taught her the Klallam language when she was a baby. It was her first language. Later, she learned to speak English as a second language. Her father, William Hall, started the first Indian Shaker Church in Dungeness, Washington, around 1910.
Moving to Port Angeles
In 1934, Hazel and her husband, Edward C. Sampson Sr., moved. They moved from Jamestown to Port Angeles, Washington. The Sampsons were one of thirteen families who bought land there. This land became part of the Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation.
Hazel and Edward Sampson were married for 75 years. Edward passed away in 1995. Hazel was also a member of the Jamestown S'Klallam Band. This group became a separate Klallam political group in the 1980s. Ron Allen, the Jamestown chairman, said that Hazel "considered herself a S'Klallam first." She felt connected to all three Klallam groups in Washington state.
Saving the Klallam Language
Hazel Sampson played a very important role in helping to save the Klallam language. Timothy Montler is a professor of linguistics. He teaches at the University of North Texas. Professor Montler started working to preserve the Klallam language in 1990.
He worked with Jamie Valadez. Jamie is a Klallam language teacher at Port Angeles High School. She is also a member of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Together, they gathered materials and tools to teach the Klallam language. They wanted to save Klallam from disappearing forever.
Working with Native Speakers
Montler and Valadez worked closely with native Klallam speakers. These included Hazel and Ed Sampson, Adeline Smith, and Bea Charles. In 1999, Professor Montler published several books. These books helped people learn basic Klallam through storytelling.
In 2012, Montler also published the first Klallam dictionary. He used words and meanings given by Hazel Sampson, Adeline Smith, and Bea Charles. Their knowledge helped create this important book.
Hazel Sampson chose not to be officially named as part of the project. This was because of her traditions. However, she worked very closely with her husband and the other members. The researchers believed she understood the Klallam language even better than her husband. Jamie Valadez said, "She said, 'This is Ed's work.' She was very traditional."
Adeline Smith passed away in March 2013. After her death, Hazel Sampson became the very last person who spoke the Klallam language as her first language.
Later Life and Legacy
Hazel Sampson lived in her home in Port Angeles until she passed away. She died on February 4, 2014, when she was 103 years old. Her death meant that the last native speaker of Klallam was gone. However, some younger people still speak Klallam as a second language.
Jamie Valadez, a Klallam cultural teacher, said, "She was the last one...[Her death] changes the dynamics of everything...They carry so much knowledge of our culture and traditions." Hazel Sampson left behind five generations of her family. Her work helped keep the Klallam language alive for future generations.
