Local Tribes Information Guide

Acknowledging the Stewards of the Land

The Global Earth Repair Convergence honors the Indigenous peoples whose traditional lands we gather on.

The S’Klallam, Chemakum, and other Coast Salish tribes have stewarded these lands for generations.

This guide provides information about local tribes, their histories, and resources for learning more about their invaluable contributions to this region and beyond.

S’Klallam People

The S’Klallam people have long hunted, fished, and gathered across a vast territory spanning the Olympic Peninsula and surrounding waters.

Today, three S’Klallam tribes continue to preserve their cultural heritage and lands:

Chetzemoka Trail
(čičməhán Trail)

Experience local Indigenous history by walking, cycling, or driving the Chetzemoka Trail in Port Townsend.

This 3-, 6-, or 12-mile route chronicles the history of the S’Klallam people and the relationship between 19th-century settlers and S’Klallam leader Chetzemoka.

Learn more: Chetzemoka Trail Information.

Canoe Journey 2025

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will host the Canoe Journey in 2025, a celebration of Indigenous culture, resilience, and traditional waterways.

Books About Local Tribes

To deepen your understanding of local tribes and their history, we recommend exploring the following books. Whenever possible, we encourage you to purchase these books directly from tribal libraries or independent, Indigenous-owned bookstores.

Featured Books

  • The Strong People – Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, 2011

  • The Strong People: A History of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, 2012

  • The Jamestown S’Klallam Story: Rebuilding a Northwest Coast Indian Tribe – Joseph H. Strauss, 2002

  • Still Here: Portraits of the Chemakum – Rosalee Walz, 2021

  • Twilight on the Thunderbird: A Memoir of Quileute Indian Life – Howard Hansen, 2013

    A compelling personal story.

  • Tradition & Change on the Northwest Coast: The Makah, Nuu-chah-nulth, Southern Kwakiutl, and Nuxalk – Ruth Kirk, 1986

    (Published by University of Washington Press and Royal British Columbia Museum, 256 pages)

  • The Snohomish Tribe of Indians: Our Heritage…Our People – Nancy McDaniel, 2004

  • Understanding the Tamanowas Rock Sanctuary – Chimacum, Washington

  • The People of Cascadia: Pacific Northwest Native American History – Heidi Bohan

  • Cape Coast Corner: Makah, Chimakum, Quinault – Dr. Jay Miller, 2020

    Free Kindle book; contains early settler observations.

  • Shadows of Our Ancestors: Readings in the History of Klallam–White Relations – Jerry Gorsline, 2016

  • A Whale Hunt: How a Native-American Village Did What No One Thought it Could – Robert Sullivan

  • Spirit of Our Whaling Ancestors: Revitalizing Makah and Nuu-chah-nulth Traditions – Charlotte Cote

  • Jesintel: Living Wisdom from Coast Salish Elders, 2023

    Cultural teachings from 19 elders for new generations.

  • Interwoven Lives: Indigenous Mothers of Salish Coast Communities – Candace Wellman, 2019

    Continuation of the WILLA Award-winning “Peace Weavers.” Adds four biographies, showcasing Indigenous women’s vital roles in cross-cultural marriages.

  • The Great Canoes: Reviving a Northwest Coast Tradition – David Neel, 1995

    Description goes here

  • Asserting Native Resilience: Pacific Rim Indigenous Nations Face the Climate Crisis – Edited by Zoltan Grossman & Alan Parker, 2012

    (See contributor biographies on page 225.)

  • The Indians of Puget Sound: The Notebooks of Myron Eells – Late 1800s

  • The Twana, Chemakum, and Klallam Indians of Washington – Facsimile reproduction, 1964

Learning and Action

This guide is just the beginning.

We encourage all participants to deepen their understanding of the Indigenous peoples of this region by:

  • Exploring the libraries of the Jamestown S’Klallam and Port Gamble S’Klallam tribes.

  • Supporting local tribal initiatives, cultural events, and land restoration projects.

  • Walking the Chetzemoka Trail to experience the living history of the S’Klallam people.

Together, we honor and celebrate the wisdom of Indigenous peoples and their indispensable role in regenerating the Earth.

Visit GlobalEarthRepairFoundation.org for more resources.