Our Mission to Enhance Social Strength...

"Preserving, Restoring and Sustaining our Indian Heritage and Community Continuity."

Our Elders Program sponsors the monthly Elders Luncheon and the annual Elders Gathering. These events provide an opportunity for our Elders to gather, socialize, exchange gifts and share in the community spirit. The Elders Committee and staff plan Elders Trips providing opportunities for Elders to enjoy gatherings and celebrations at other Northwest Tribes and take pleasure in each other's company while participating in fun activities. A group of Elders gathers at the Tribal Center each week to work together on craft projects.
 

Our After School, Summer Culture and Youth Empowerment programs provide opportunities for children and youth to learn the history, beliefs, traditions and connections of their Jamestown community. Elders and Tribal Artists have shared their skills, stories and legends and children and youth learn how traditional cultural values provide strength for today's Tribal citizens. The five-week Summer Reading Program uses Native American literature to increase children's reading skills and interest in reading. Our children and youth programs provide a continuing connection to the Tribal Center and Community.

Special grant support was used to support a series of classes for Tribal Artists. During the first year of the project, master artists taught classes in tool making, Salish design, beading, woodcarving, basket and blanket weaving and story telling. Twenty-one Tribal citizens enhanced their skills resulting in the production of many beautiful works. The second year of the project included classes in advanced beading, making cedar hats and baskets, mask, bentwood box and drum making. Twenty-three Tribal citizens participated in this series of classes. Artists also learned how to use the silkscreen, weaving and embroidery equipment to turn their Salish designs into marketable products that can be sold through the Tribe's retail outlet, Northwest Native Expressions.

Our two year Cultural Preservation Project produced a book that preserves history and knowledge of the Jamestown people as told by our Elders. Cultural program staff interviewed Tribal Elders, reproduced pictures shared by Tribal families, and local newspapers, libraries and museums. Pictures, remembrances and stories were published in a book that was distributed to all Tribal citizens.

The Tribe received artifacts from the Sequim By-Pass Archeological Project from Eastern Washington University who conducted the archeological project for the Washington State Department of Transportation. The pre-historic and historic artifacts include tools, fire rock, a complete fire hearth from a pit house and antler, horn, teeth and shells. Part of the Sequim By-Pass Collection represents one of the largest collections of artifacts from one site from 4,000 - 8,000 years ago in Washington State. An agreement with the State Department of Transportation has established an Endowment Fund for the Tribe to care for the artifacts. The Collection will eventually be housed in the future Jamestown Tribal Museum.

Over the years, our Cultural Preservation Program has retrieved the remains of fifteen S'Klallam ancestors from the Burke Museum in Seattle, the Clallam County Museum, the Heard Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Washington State University and the University of Pennsylvania. Our ancestors received ceremonial burials in Tribal cemeteries at Jamestown, Lower Elwha and Port Gamble and at a site on Indian Island.

Growing Our Future

The Health & Human Services Department announced a new opportunity available to our Tribal Families. The Family Building Blocks program provides assistance and education to families with children three years and younger. Our goal is to help parents promote the best, healthiest living and learning environments for their child. During home visits with staff, parents can learn fun activities designed to stimulate physical and intellectual growth. Staff answer questions about raising children and support families by helping them access other Tribal and community resources.

Supporting Strong Families

The Jamestown S'Klallam Community Network Board brings together Tribal citizens, staff and community members to share knowledge and discuss how we can support our families.

The Family Preservation and Support program provides assistance to families and children to help families develop skills and use the tools and resources in the community to mange the stresses and solve problems faced by families in today's world.

The Indian Child Welfare program provides protection for children who are at risk due to abuse or neglect. The ICW program works with families, social workers, foster families and court systems to provide safety for children and to work toward family reunification.