Elwha Watershed Information Resource

The Lower Elwha Tribe traditionally lived near the Strait of Juan de Fuca, within easy reach of the plentiful Elwha River and the foothills of the Olympic Mountains.  Surrounded by such awe-inspiring beauty that provided abundantly for the Klallam, it is not surprising that nature has always played a significant role in the Elwha culture and is embodied in their stories. Often, key resources such as salmon were considered so important that they were celebrated in traditional ceremonies. 

Today, the Klallam are reaching into the past to rediscover the culture of their ancestors. The inter-tribal canoe journeys, which began in 1989, have helped revive the traditional canoe culture. The canoe journey was traditionally scheduled to occur every four years. Today the Tribal Journeys are an annual event, growing in numbers of people and canoes each year. The event has also provided a special opportunity for  elders and youth to come together in a celebration of their shared history. The culture of the Klallam today is dynamic and ever-changing as they weave traditional practices together with modern ways.

To the right is the Elwha Klallam Tribe Logo. This logo was made by Garnet V. Charles. Even though the Tribe hunted grey whales, killer whales are an important character in tribal folklore and are considered a protector of the Tribe. The Tribe included the killer whale on its logo, along with a thunderbird. It was believed that many Klallam possessed a thunderbird spirit. This spirit gave them power in war, and also wealth power. Wealth power was defined by blankets, cloth, and food.

Learn more about the Tribe’s culture by clicking on the links below:

Resource Use: The natural resources (such as the Olympic Mountains and the Elwha River) that surrounded the Klallam provided them with everything they needed. The people have always respected these resources, and many of the tribe’s sacred sites are located along the river and in the mountains.

Stories from Our Ancestors: This page contains three Klallam stories passed down from generation to generation by the members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. 

Salmon in Elwha Culture: Salmon was the most important part of the Tribe’s traditional diet, and the Tribe had great respect for the salmon. The Tribe often celebrated important salmon events (for example, in the First Salmon Ceremony). They also had traditional teachings for catching, preparing, and eating salmon.

Canoe Journeys: Canoe travel was an essential part of traditional coastal tribal culture. However, the once flourishing Northwest canoe culture deteriorated over the 20th century and many tribes no longer even owned ceremonial canoes. The 1989 Paddle to Seattle sparked a renewed interest in the canoe culture, and the inter-tribal canoe journey has developed into an annual event.

Art: Content under development by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

Elders: Content under development by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

Life on the Reservation Today: Today's life on the Lower Elwha Reservation is a unique mixture of old and new.  Alongside modernization, tribal members have recently begun to explore their ancestral traditions more deeply by reconnecting with some historical pastimes.