Clallam

/ˈklæləm/ noun

Definition

A Native American people of the Pacific Northwest, or their language.

Etymology

From the Salishan language family of the Strait of Juan de Fuca region. The Clallam people's name derives from their self-designation within their own Salishan language. The term has been used since European contact in the 19th century.

Kelly Says

The Clallam language is classified as nearly extinct, with only a handful of fluent speakers remaining, making preservation efforts like immersion schools crucial for cultural survival. Their traditional territory along the Strait of Juan de Fuca gives us insight into how Pacific Northwest Coast peoples adapted to marine and temperate forest environments.

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