Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Washington facts for kids
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| United States (Washington) | |
| Languages | |
| English, formerly Klallam language |
The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe is a group of Klallam Native Americans. They are officially recognized by the United States government. This tribe lives on the northern Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. This area is in the northwestern United States.
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History of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe
The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe was officially formed in 1874. This happened when S'Klallam people living near the Strait of Juan de Fuca faced a big problem. European settlers wanted to force Native Americans to move from their homes.
To avoid this, a group of S'Klallam people bought a piece of land. It was about 210 acres (0.85 square kilometers). They started a community near Dungeness. They named it "Jamestown" to honor their leader, James Balch. This was a very special achievement. At that time, Native people were not legally allowed to buy land.
Even though they were sometimes pressured to move to special reservations, the Jamestown group stayed strong. They did not get money from the government like tribes on reservations did. Still, they kept their community independent. They also built a strong way to support themselves financially.
A hundred years later, the tribe worked for six years to get official recognition. The United States Department of the Interior finally recognized them as a tribe. This happened on February 10, 1981.
Jamestown S'Klallam Indian Reservation
The Jamestown S'Klallam Indian Reservation is quite small. It covers about 0.145 square kilometers (13.49 acres). It is located near Sequim Bay along U.S. Route 101. This area is in Blyn, in eastern Clallam County.
The reservation is where the tribal government works. It is not a place where many people live. Here you can find the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Center. This center holds the tribe's offices for government, natural resources, and community services. It also has the Tribal Library and a dental clinic.
The reservation is also home to the tribe's Seven Cedars Casino. There is also the Longhouse Market Deli and Fueling Station. A shop for natural remedies and a new resort hotel are also there.
Besides the reservation land, the Tribe owns over 1,000 acres (4 square kilometers) of land. This land is in Clallam and Jefferson Counties. It includes Railroad Bridge Park and The Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course in Sequim. They also own Tamanowas Rock. This is a very important sacred site for the S'Klallam people in Chimacum.
S'Klallam Language and Meaning
The S'Klallam language is also called Clallam or Klallam. It is part of the Salishan family of Native American languages. The name S'Klallam means "the strong people." This shows how strong and resilient the tribe is.
How the Tribal Government Works
The Jamestown S'Klallam community is led by a tribal council. This council is chosen by the people in fair elections. As of 2012, the tribe had 594 official members. The tribe provides services to almost 640 Native Americans in the Olympic Peninsula area.
Tribal Mission Statement
The tribe has a special statement about its goals. It says:
The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe wants to be able to support itself. It aims to offer good government programs and services. These services help meet the special social, cultural, natural resource, and money needs of its people. The tribe wants to manage these programs while keeping, bringing back, and protecting its Native American heritage and community.
Who is on the Tribal Council?
The Tribe is led by the five-member Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Council. Council members are elected by adult tribal members. They serve for two years. The elections happen at different times. The council follows the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Constitution. The Tribal Chairman leads the council.
Protecting Native American Rights
On April 4, 2014, the Bureau of Indian Affairs approved new rules for the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. These rules were under the HEARTH Act. This act helps tribes manage their own lands. With this approval, the Tribe can now make business leases without needing government approval.
This change has helped the tribe grow its businesses. These businesses include the casino, golf course, and health facilities. This helps the tribe support its members and community.
The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe also works hard to protect its traditional lands. Their natural resources department helps care for the environment. They focus mainly on the Dungeness River area. The tribe's Dungeness River Management Team has created over 40 plans and studies since 1989. These efforts help protect and restore the river and its surroundings.
