Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe facts for kids
 |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 776 (in 2007) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Washington) |
|
| Languages | |
| Klallam, English | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Coast Salish peoples |
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (also called Nəxʷsƛ̓áy̓əm, meaning "strong people" in their language) is a Native American group. They live in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. This tribe is officially recognized by the U.S. government. The Lower Elwha Klallam are part of the larger Klallam culture. The Klallam people are also part of the Coast Salish people.
Their traditional homeland is the northern part of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. They used to have many villages there. Since the 1930s, part of the tribe has lived on a special reservation. This reservation is about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Port Angeles. It is located at the mouth of the Elwha River.
In 2003, an ancient Klallam village called Tse-whit-zen was found. Workers discovered it during a construction project. This happened on land that used to belong to the tribe. The village site was almost completely preserved. Hundreds of human remains and thousands of artifacts were found. Because of these important discoveries, the state stopped the construction project.
Scientists used radiocarbon dating to study the village. They found that people lived there for nearly 2,700 years. The Lower Elwha Klallam lived at Tse-whit-zen until the 1930s. The government then asked them to move to a reservation outside the city. The state has since given 10 acres (4.0 ha) of land back to the Tribe. They also leased another 6 acres (2.4 ha) to them.
In 2012 and 2014, two dams on the Elwha River were removed. These dams were built a long time ago. Removing them was part of a big restoration project. The Tribe had wanted these dams removed for many years. Taking out the dams helps the beaches and river delta grow. It also helps salmon return to the river. This improves the river's natural environment.
As the river lands were uncovered, the tribe found something special. In August 2012, they rediscovered their sacred creation site. This site had been underwater for a long time. An archeological site was also found along the river. It showed that people lived there for 8,000 years. This is the oldest site in the Olympic National Park.
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Who Are the Lower Elwha Klallam?
As of 2007, there were 776 official members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. About 112 of these members live on the Lower Elwha Reservation. The tribe manages this reservation. It is located at the mouth of the Elwha River. This is about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Port Angeles.
A Look Back: History of the Tribe
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is one of four Klallam groups. They have lived in the Pacific Northwest of the United States for a very long time. Their historic land was in the northeast part of the Olympic Peninsula. This area stretched from the Hoko River to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Language and Culture
The Klallam people speak languages that are related to each other. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe traditionally spoke the Klallam language. This language is part of the Coast Salish languages family. People are now working to bring the language back. A Klallam dictionary was published in 2012. Tribal elders like Adeline Smith helped a lot with this project. Language classes are now helping to revive the use of Klallam.
Ancient Villages and Sacred Sites
In the past, the Lower Elwha Klallam lived in several villages along the Elwha River. One village was in the area where Port Angeles is today. They believed a rock along the river was their creation site. They called it a word that meant "coiled basket" because of its shape. This place was where the Creator "bathed and blessed the Klallam people," according to Jamie Valadez, a Klallam language teacher. It was also a place for spiritual journeys.
This sacred site went underwater when the Elwha Dam was built in 1913. Tribal members told stories about it to researchers in the early 1900s.
Challenges and Changes
In the late 1700s and 1800s, the Tribe faced big challenges. Many people died from diseases like smallpox and measles. European traders brought these diseases, and the tribe had no protection against them. Their population became much smaller by the late 1800s.
The United States government officially recognized the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in 1855. This happened through the Point No Point Treaty. In the 1900s, the government bought land outside Port Angeles. They asked the tribe to move there in 1935–36. This allowed new factories to be built along the waterfront. Lumber and paper mills were built on land that used to be tribal property.
In 1968, the land at the mouth of the Elwha River became the Lower Elwha Reservation. Today, the tribe's lands include about 1,000 acres (400 ha) on and near the Elwha River.
In 1938, the Olympic National Park was created. This park protects the upper Elwha River, mountains, and other areas. It has saved important animal habitats. However, dams built on the lower river in the early 1900s changed the environment. They stopped the yearly salmon runs. By the late 1900s, the number of salmon returning to the river dropped a lot. It went from nearly 400,000 to less than 4,000.
Discovering Ancient Sites
In August 2003, the Tribe's ancient village of Tse-whit-zen was found again. This happened during construction in Port Angeles. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was building a large dock. The Tribe and WSDOT first worked together to explore the findings. But then, 10,000 artifacts and 335 human remains were discovered. It became clear that the site was almost untouched. The Tribe then asked for the construction project to be stopped. On December 21, 2004, the state governor announced that WSDOT would stop all building at that site.
Protecting the Village Site
Later, the state and the tribe reached an agreement. The state gave 10 acres (4.0 ha) of the village site to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. This land was for reburying the human remains. WSDOT also agreed to lease another 6 acres (2.4 ha) to the Tribe. This land would be used for a building to care for the 67,000 artifacts. These artifacts were found at the village site between 2003 and 2005. The state also paid $2.5 million to the Tribe. The city of Port Angeles and the Port of Port Angeles each received $7.5 million. This was because the construction project was stopped.
Scientists used radiocarbon dating to learn about the village of Tse-whit-zen. They found it dates back over 2,700 years. The Tribe lived there until the early 1930s. Then, they moved to new reservation land. The ground was later filled in, and many mills were built over the village site. Because the ground was covered with 15 to 30 feet (4.6 to 9.1 m) of fill, the village site was kept safe. Archeologists have found signs of possibly eight longhouse structures. They also found areas for preparing food, ceremonies, and a cemetery.
Rediscovering Sacred Places
In August 2012, tribal members found their sacred creation site again. It was along the Elwha River. This site was uncovered after Lake Aldwell was drained. Lake Aldwell was a reservoir created by the Elwha Dam. Draining it was part of the Restoration of the Elwha River Project. Some tribal members traveled to the sacred site. They gathered water to take back to elders who could not go there, like Adeline Smith. This was the first time living members of the tribe had seen this site.
In a related discovery, archeologists found another site on land that was once underwater. This site showed that people had lived there for 8,000 years. It is the oldest archeological site inside the Olympic National Park. Researchers worked with the Tribe. They removed some artifacts for study. Then, they reburied the site to keep it safe. Both of these important locations are being kept secret to protect them.
Important Tribal Members
- Adeline Smith (1918–2013) worked with a famous linguist. She helped create the Klallam language alphabet and the first Klallam dictionary. This dictionary was published in 2012. She added 12,000 words and phrases to the dictionary. She was its main source of information. Adeline Smith also supported protecting Tse-whit-zen. She encouraged the removal of the dams from the Elwha River.
