This part of our web guide focuses on the Klallam, a Coast Salish people indigenous to the northern Olympic Peninsula of Washington State and Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
In the Klallam language, the tribe is called nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕, which translates as "strong people." The several variations in the English language have included Chalam, Clalam, Clallem, Clallum, Khalam, Klalam, Noodsdalum, Nooselalum, Noostlalum, Tlalum, Tlalam, Wooselalim, S'Klallam, Ns'Klallam, Klallam, and Clallam.
Contemporary Klallam people are enrolled in one of four recognized governments, three in the United States and one in Canada. The U.S. tribes are the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, the Lower Elwha Kallam Tribe, and the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, while the Canadian band is the Sc'ianew (Beecher Bay) First Nation.
The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe is a federally recognized tribe of Klallam American Indians on the northern Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. The tribe was formed in 1874 when a group of Klallam individuals purchased a 210-acre tract of land to establish a community they named Jamestown for James Balch, their leader. The tribe was federally recognized in 1981. The reservation itself is 13.49 acres on Sequim Bay in the Blyn community and serves as a tribal administrative area rather than a residential area. Additionally, the tribe owns more than 1,000 acres of land in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (Nəxʷsƛ̓áy̓əm) is a federally recognized tribe in the Lower Elwha River Valley and the adjacent bluffs on the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula, west of Port Angeles, Washington. Its land area includes about 1,000 acres, which was acquired by the federal government in trust for the tribe in 1936, and named as a reservation in 1968.
The Port Gamble Band of S'Klallam Indians is a federally recognized tribe on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington. Founded in 1938, the reservation encompasses 1,303 acres.
The Sc'ianew First Nation, also known as the Beecher Bay First Nation, is a First Nations band on southern Vancouver Island in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Its reserve includes Beecher Bay, Fraser Island, Lamb Island, Long-neck Island, Twin Island, Village Island, and Whale Island.
Before Europeans entered the lives of the Klallam people, they resided in a region spanning the northern shoreline of the Olympic Peninsula, extending from the Hoko River's estuary in the west to the eastern shores of Port Discovery Bay. A separate group of Klallam people had a presence across the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Vancouver Island, within the vicinity of present-day Saanich, Sooke, and Beecher Bay. While most Klallam settlements were coastal, others were inland, nestled by rivers, inlets, or large lakes.
Juan Pérez and his crew were perhaps the first to explore the Pacific Northwest coast in 1774, and James Cook came through in 1778, followed by maritime fur traders; early European explorers didn't make direct contact with the Klallam. George Vancouver, a British Royal Navy officer, was the first European to make contact with the Klallam. He traded copper and knives with them, but noted their indifference to his visit, suggesting that they had previously been aware of Europeans.
The Hudson Bay Company established Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River in 1825, but there was very little communication between the Klallam and the fort. Nevertheless, it wasn't long before there were conflicts.
A group of Klallam people killed five white men in 1828 after being mistreated by the white men. In response, a group of about sixty men from Fort Vancouver attacked a group of Klallam people, killing seven, including women and children, and burning their homes. A Hudson Bay Company ship later attacked, plundered, and destroyed a Klallam village, killing twenty-five Klallam people.
Fort Nisqually, another Hudson Bay Company fort, was established on the southern shore of Puget Sound in 1832. They noted that the Klallam refused to sell furs, saying that the Hudson Bay Company's prices were too low.
In 1847, the Klallam joined with Chief Seattle, leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish people, in a major attack on the Chimakum people, destroying all of their villages. The few surviving Chimakum fled and eventually joined other tribes. The Klallam occupied the former Chimakum territory on the northeastern part of the Olympic Peninsula, including the Quimper Peninsula, where Port Townsend is today.
White settlers began arriving at Port Townsend around 1850, establishing sawmills. These settlers began selling large amounts of liquor to the Klallam.
The terms of the 1854 Point No Point Treaty called for the Klallam to move to the Skokomish Reservation, but they refused.
Recommended Resources
Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Library
The tribal library specializes in Native American authors and topics, both historical and contemporary, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest. A search feature allows users to browse the library's collection of books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and documents. The library's research facilities and resources, programs and events, community services and facilities, and programs and resources for children, teens, parents, and teachers. Its location and contacts are included.
https://library.jamestowntribe.org/
The federally recognized tribe is situated on the northern Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. Several articles on the history of the Jamestown Tribe are put forth, along with the tribal governmental structure, an organizational chart, and tribal officials, along with tribal programs and services, tribal events, businesses and enterprises, news and announcements, a FAQ, a tribal newsletter, career opportunities, employee benefits, photographs, and videos.
https://jamestowntribe.org/
Jeffrey Veregge is an award-winning Native American artist and writer from the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, best known for his use of form-line design with pop culture inspiration. This site features several portfolios of his work, including public works and murals, old-school art, and video and digital media work. Links to galleries and shops are included, along with biographical information on the artist, a resume, an online contact form, and press and media resources.
http://www.jeffreyveregge.com/
The Klallam language (nəxʷsƛ̕ay̕əmúcən) was spoken on the north shore of Washinton's Olympic Peninsula, from the Strait of Juan de Fuca inland into the mountains, as well as some nearby areas, such as Becher Bay on the south of Vancouver Island and some small islands nearby. This site examines the language, including sound files, learning materials, videos, photographs, a classified wordlist, and useful phrases. The books, "Klallam Dictionary" and Klallam Grammar" may be purchased.
https://klallamlanguage.org/
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (Nəxʷsƛ̓áy̓əm) is a federally recognized American Indian nation in the Pacific Northwest. The tribe's history and culture are outlined on the official tribal website, along with driving directions, administrative contacts, and a community calendar. Contacts are provided for the tribal police department, health clinic, casino, river restoration efforts, Klallam language resources, announcements, notices, and a calendar of events.
https://www.elwha.org/
Port Gamble S'Klallam Foundation
The tax-exempt organization was chartered from the Klallam Development Fund in 2002 to benefit the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, its members, and its mission. The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees who meet twice a year. Contact information for Foundation officials is provided, along with its mission, which includes supporting the arts, culture, and community of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. "The Strong People: A History of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe" may be purchased.
https://www.sklallamfoundation.org/
The Port Gamble S'Klallam people were originally known as the Nux Sklai Yem (the strong people), and are the descendants of the Salish people who have been established in the Puget Sound Basin and the surrounding areas since 2400 B.C. The reservation on the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State was established in the late 1930s. The tribal government, departments, and tribal-owned entities are featured on the site, which includes a private portal for tribal members.
https://pgst.nsn.us/
Also known as the Beecher Bay First Nation, members of the tribe trace their ancestry to people who spoke four different dialects. Its lands are located on southern Vancouver Island in southwestern British Columbia, along with Fraser Island, Lamb Island, Long-neck Island, Twin Island, Village Island, and Whale Island. The tribal website highlights the tribe's governing structure, tribal programs and services, news, and contacts. Photographs and videos are included.
https://beecherbay.ca/
