Please join The Dungeness Crab Festival organizers to honor the land upon which we host our event at the traditional Lower Elwha Klallam Welcoming Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024 at City Pier, beginning at 3 p.m., followed by dancing and drumming.

Dungeness* crabs, formerly known as ‘market crabs’ have been harvested commercially by non-Native people since around 1848, but for centuries before that, the nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ or Klallam and S’Klallam People inhabiting the peninsula’s coastal region utilized this rich Salish Sea resource.

The nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ (S’Klallam or “Strong People”) are divided into three politically sovereign tribal governments that hold a sacred attachment to much of the lands in Clallam County, and some lands in Jefferson and Kitsap Counties. The tribes have named themselves the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. 

Their lands stretched west to the Hoko River, east to Kingston and Poulsbo, north to a portion of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and south into the Hood Canal to Hamma Hamma (other tribal treaties necessitated boundaries beyond these lands). Since time immemorial, the S’Klallam People have stewarded the land, calling it their sacred duty from the Creator to care for their brothers and sisters of creation. 

In return, the lands, seas, plants, and animals would provide all the resources humans needed to thrive. The relationship between the S’Klallams and the land was deeply powerful, spiritual, and relational. Celebration of creation was common and still is in S’Klallam ceremonies. As long as careful respect was given to any creation, it could be used for sustaining the villages through building homes and canoes, making clothing, tools, weapons, food, toys, art, trade goods, and more. 

Additionally, the Creator and creation taught the S’Klallams a culture of sharing resources generously with one another; a S’Klallam did not gather food or firewood for themselves only, but gathered for others in the village. The Dungeness Crab (called ʔáʔčx̣ or “ah-ch-throat clearing sound”) was a plentiful relative. The S’Klallam villages and their guests (both Native and non-Native) never worried about hunger or lacking the ability to trade. 

The earliest method of catching Dungeness crab was by traps in deeper waters. Ancient crab traps were square or rectangular wood boxes tied together with twines, and later made with wood and chicken wire. Crabs were then stored on the beach in the boxes so that the ocean could keep them alive and fresh. 

The ancestors taught that the best way to process the crab was boiling them whole in salt water to maintain the natural flavor of meat. As both native and non-native commercial crabbing became more popular, overharvesting was a concern and considered a disrespect to creation. Throughout the decades the S’Klallam/Klallam Tribes have worked closely with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to co-steward creation, including the Dungeness crab, so that they will be available for all peoples to harvest for generations to come. 

Not only do Dungeness crabs provide humans with a healthy food source, but also wisdom and friendship, according to legends. In one, Grandmother Crab was a teacher of responsibility, and the importance of protecting your family; in another legend, a group of crabs protected a fisherman and children from the large forest woman, Slah-poo, by pinching her until she fell in the water and drowned. These relationships, values, and life lessons have stood the test of time and evolution, proving that deep connections are never lost.    

Information adapted from The Jamestown S’Klallam Story (Stauss & Oppenheimer, 2002) and told by Tribal Culture Director Loni Grinnell-Greninger. 

*The name “Dungeness” originally comes from the Old Norse language and means “headland,” and was applied to a coastal area in Southern England.

Please consider honoring the richness of Klallam/S’Klallam traditions and history over the festival weekend by visiting the ‘Places of Understanding,’ found below.

City Pier/Hollywood Beach, right at the center of festival fun in downtown Port Angeles. Stand upon the beach where for millennia, S’Klallam/Klallam People have launched canoes.

Lower Elwha Carnegie Museum, within walking distance of the festival. Head south along Lincoln Street to this historic brick building and learn about the Strong People.

Ediz Hook, once one of the most prosperous areas of the Lower Elwha S’Klallam and included the village of Tse-whit-zen. In August of 2003, artifacts and human remains were found at the village site called č̕ixʷícən, located at the base of Ediz Hook in Port Angeles, Washington. The site is the largest pre-European contact village site excavated in Washington state.

Elwha Beach, a sandy spit created after the removal of the Elwha River dams in 2012. Today, it’s a delightful place for a stroll and to witness important historical and environmental reminders that nature always finds a way.

Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, one of the world’s longest sand spits, shelters a bay rich in marine life. Hike the many trails above the refuge (part of Dungeness County Park) before venturing down to the refuge, perhaps even hiking the five miles to New Dungeness Lighthouse.

Jamestown Beach access to this beautiful beach is graciously offered through Graysmarsh Farm and the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe. On clear days, capture glimpses of Mt. Baker to the northeast and New Dungeness Lighthouse to the north and west.

Dungeness River Nature Center is located in Sequim and offers access to the Olympic Discovery Trail, Dungeness River, and acres of beautiful forest and wetlands. Be sure to stop into the center for exhibits about the cultural, ecological, and historical importance of the Dungeness River watershed.

Jamestown S’Klallam Native Art and Tribal Library are both located in Blyn and offer stunning art work for sale and access to a library of written information about the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe. The Olympic Discovery Trail may be accessed from both buildings.

Heronswood Garden, Kitsap Peninsula is operated and managed by the Port Gamble S’Klallam tribe, and is the perfect location for a stop either on your way to or from The Dungeness Crab Festival. The garden plots are stunning and feature many varieties if native plants, in addition to outdoor art.

Places of Understanding on the Olympic Peninsula

Click here to download the PDF version of the culture guide.