Life on the Elwha Klallam Reservation is a unique mixture of old and new. For instance, dried clams (an ancestral favorite) are still considered a tasty treat by many tribal members, but the drying process has been modernized. The Klallam still prepare some of the traditional foods, and recently tribal members have begun to explore their ancestral traditions more deeply by reconnecting with some historical pastimes. For example, The Elwha Warrior Royalty Contest was re-established in 2005. Many tribal songs and dances were created in 1996 after they were lost for some time when it was illegal to practice their own culture. The Tribe takes time to celebrate with other tribal members at graduations, potlaches, sports events, and other community events--helping to maintain the ties within the Tribe that can easily be disrupted by modern life.
See photos and learn more about the modern Tribe by clicking on the links below:
- Graduations: Students are celebrated by the tribal community as they receive their GEDs, high school diplomas, and college diplomas.
- Tribal Governments: Content under development by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
- Elwha Royalty: The Elwha Warrior Royalty Contest, which was brought back in 2005, offers a way for tribal youth to celebrate their culture.
- Traditional Foods: Traditional food is an important part of the tribe’s potlatches. These are tribal celebrations where one or more tribes gather to share food, song, dance, and friendship.
- Dance Group: The generational Elwha Dance Group performs tribal dances at many important community events.
- Fishing and Hunting: The tribe still obtains some of their food by fishing and hunting, just as their ancestors did. Some of the techniques are even still the same--but the gear and equipment are decidedly modern.
- Sports and Recreation: Sports are often community-wide events in the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, as they are an important part of the Tribe's modern culture, enjoyed by youth and adults alike.