The northern Olympic Peninsula is the homeland of the Klallam, or S'Klallam, people, whose name is commonly translated as the strong people. Today they form several federally recognized nations along the strait, including the Lower Elwha, Jamestown, and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes. Their endangered language, part of a peninsula-specific family, is the focus of active revitalization efforts.
The country you're crossing right now is Klallam homeland, and the name itself tells you something. Klallam, often written S'Klallam, is usually translated as the strong people. They live today in several communities along this northern shore, the Lower Elwha, the Jamestown, the Port Gamble, each its own sovereign nation. Their language belongs to a family found only on this peninsula, and after coming dangerously close to falling silent, it's being taught to children again. Listen for the old names out here. Many places still carry words that are theirs.
Photo: Konrad Roeder (Kgrr) · CC BY 3.0
