Port Townsend in Jefferson County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

The S'Klallams, The Strong People

Coast Salish Canoe Culture

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

1. The S'Klallams, The Strong People Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

For thousands of years, the S'Klallam ("strong") people lived in villages along the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula, moving with the seasonal resources and living in harmony with nature. In addition to hunting in the mountains and harvesting, they traveled and fished in the salt and fresh waters of the area. Port Townsend is in S'Klallam Territory.

Canoes Were The Primary Mode Of Transportation

With the thick forest and dense brush of the Northwest coast and the amount of goods to be carried to summer fishing sites, much of the traveling was done by water. Most travel was by canoe. There were five distinct types of canoes, depending on the activity, not including those obtained in trade.

[Photo caption reads]
Indian family near Chimacum Creek, Washington [Hicks famkly, Klallam, Lillian Hicks' grandmother on left: canoe built by Prince of Wales, (Chetzesnoka's son).

Erected by Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Northwest Maritime Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans

Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

2. Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers

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this page online

• Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 48° 6.967′ N, 122° 45.115′ W. Marker is in Port Townsend, Washington, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Water Street east of Monroe Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the passageway at the Northwest Maritime Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 431 Water Street, Port Townsend WA 98368, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Canoes Were Made Of Locally Available Materials (here, next to this marker); The Unique Coast Salish Design (here, next to this marker); Intertribal Trade (here, next to this marker); Trade With Newcomers (here, next to this marker); InterTribal Canoe Journey (here, next to this marker); Chief Chetzemoka (here, next to this marker); Partnering With The Northwest Maritime Center With A Shared Respect For The Sea (here, next to this marker); Honoring Eleanor Stopps (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Townsend.

Also see . . .
1. Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. čičməhán Trail (Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe). (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Coast Salish Canoe Construction. (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

3. Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers

Looking toward Water Street

4. Northwest Maritime Center. (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.