Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe history

1841 – Wilkes explores Puget Sound and reports potatoes being grown by Port Discovery Klallam

1842 – Mass migration of white settlers begins along the Oregon Trail

1847 – Paul Kane documents visit to Ennis Village site in Port Angeles

1852 – Settlement of Dungeness area begins at Whiskey Flats

In November 1853, Isaac Stevens, Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the new territory, arrived in Olympia and promised that extinguishing the Indian land title was foremost on his agenda, to be resolved through the treaty-making authority granted him by the federal government.

In the winter of 1855, the S'Klallam, Chemakum and Twana tribes gathered at the northeast point of the Kitsap Peninsula, Known as Point No Point (1), to negotiate a treaty with Isaac Stevens.

1859 – Congress ratifies the Point No Point Treaty on March 8. – Small pox epidemic. – Micheal Simmons recommended that the Clallams be allowed a reserve at Clallam Bay.

Many Klallams from Port Angeles move over to Beecher Bay 1863 – Ethnographer, George Gibbs documented Klallam historic information.

1871 – End of treaty making with United States government and Tribes

1872 – An effort to create a reservation on Ediz Hook failed to pass.

1874 – Amendment to Homestead Act to extend to Indians. – James Balch purchased 210 acres so the 140 Clallams could live at Jamestown. – Many Klallams at Port Gamble and Elwha took up Indian Homesteads.

In 1878 the Little Boston population was estimated to be about 100.

Port Gamble Archives Boyd, Robert T. The introduction of Infectious Diseases among the Indians of the Pacific Northwest, 1774 Ð 1884.

1887 – General Allotment Act – Reverend Myron Eells wrote about the Klallam – Port Angeles population over 600

1893 – Last Klallam secret society initiation held in Port Angeles

1910 – Construction begins on the Elwha Dam.

1911 – Quinault opened for allotment but the Klallams refused to relocate

1920 – Anthropologist, T.T. Waterman wrote extensively about the Klallam. – Small pox epidemic

1925 – Construction begins on the Glines Canyon Dam

1930 – There were still over 30 Klallam families living on Ediz Hook

1934 – Indian Reorganization Act passed by Congress to provide new form for organization of tribal governments and for federal acquisition of land in trust for tries. – Johnson O’Malley Act

1935 – Anthropologist, William W. Elmendorf recorded Klallam language and history

In 1936, the United States government purchased Point Julia and some surrounding parcels that were owned by the Puget Mill Company, in order to create the 1,231-acre Port Gamble S'Klallam Reservation.

In 1938 the Olympic National Park was established to protect the upper Elwha and other rivers, mountains, and other areas of the northern Olympic Peninsula.

In 1939, gasoline was poured on some of the houses at Point Julia and the village was burned to the ground.

1951 – Anthropologist, Wayne Suttles recorded Klallam language and history

1974 – Boldt decision in United States vs.

1976 – Anthropologist, Mark Fleisher recorded Klallam language

1979 – The Boldt Decision was upheld by the United States Supreme Court

1988 – Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, to provide for Tribal Gaming – Self Determination expanded

In 1989, Port Gamble S'Klallam tribal members voyaged to Seattle in their hand-carved craft with a flotilla of more than 30 other dugouts.

In order to assume full responsibility in the protection and advancement of their culture, economic and political goals, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe joined the Tribal Self- Governance Project in 1990.

1991 – Anthropologist, Jackilee Wray recorded Klallam history Jamestown and Port Gamble becomes self-governance tribes

1992 – Klallam Language Program starts – Amendments to National Historic Preservation Act – Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act – Elwha Klallam Tribe becomes a self- governance tribe

And again in 1993, they completed a 500-mile trip voyage to Bella Bella, British Columbia for a gathering of Coastal tribal nations.

2000 – Federal government acquires Elwha River dams​

2003 – Construction begins on the Port Angeles dry dock uncovering ancient Klallam village of Tse-whit-zen. – First Peoples Language Bill passes

2004 – Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian opens

2007 – Tribe & the City of Port Angeles sign a wastewater agreement. – First request for bids for the Port Angeles Water Treatment Facility released.