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Cultural Resurgence

Reviving the culture and language is of great importance.  Resurgence in creating the traditional canoes began in the late 1980s.  The process of creating the traditional canoes involved intertribal partnerships to assist with the almost lost art of canoe carving.  Aside from the physical carving of the canoes, the whole cultural and spiritual realm of knowledge had to be researched, remembered, taught, practices, and shared inside each tribal village where it was lacking.  Along with canoes, many other necessary items, such as paddles, capes, vests, headbands, tools, and bailers, had to be created.  The protocol of visiting, welcoming, gifting, appropriate use of songs and dance all needed to be reintroduced into the culture.

The first Canoe Journey was in 1989.  This was The Paddle to Seattle.  Many journeys have since taken place that the tribes of Washington State and the province of British Colombia coordinated.  There are many reasons for these journeys.  This yearly activity provides prevention alternatives to drug and alcohol use for both the youth and adults, teaches the importance of culture and language, and spurs intertribal relations.The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe was the honored host of the 2005 Canoe Journey.  The theme was “Honoring our Past: Honoring č̕ixʷícən village.” Canoes  were welcomed on Hollywood Beach in the Klallam language by tribal youth, then afterwards a week long celebration took place on the Reservation.  Visiting tribes shared kind words, gifts, songs and dances with the Elwha.   

Major  developments have also taken place in the culture and language area.  In 1998 the School District and Tribe agreed to have the Klallam language taught at the Port Angeles

 
High School by Jamie  Valadez.  Klallam is taught as a Heritage language, and satisfies the language requirements for students looking to attend a four year university.  Every year the number of students of all races learning the language is growing.    

Evening classes are also offered for college or high school credit.  Tribal elders Bea Charles and Adeline Smith are the wonderful teachers who help keep this language alive by teaching to the next generation.

Additionally, tribal teachers Jamie Valadez and Wendy Sampson have been working with local elementary and middle schools since 2004 to teach  Klallam history and culture in 3rd and 8th grades.  Teaching this history in our schools greatly helps the sharing of knowledge for all children, while instilling a feeling of pride to the Native students while in school.