Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe preserves language in dictionary

Wednesday, January 23, 2013  

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe of Washington has purchased a Klallam language dictionary for every home on the reservation.

The dictionary took years to produce. Tribal elder Adeline Smith, 94, alone contributed 12,000 words.

“It holds so much, every word in there brings back stories, relationships,” Chairwoman Frances Charles told The Seattle Times of the language. “It’s a whole different world.”

The Klallam language is also taught in local public schools.

Get the Story:
Klallam dictionary opens window into tribal heritage (The Seattle Times 1/23)