Jamie Valadez, a Lower Elwha Klallam cultural teacher and activist welcomed me into her arms last Sunday. For a week, Jamie shared her life with me. She introduced me to many of her community members. Those include Adeline and Elaine, Klallam elders who have been Jamie’s role models, and younger women who were inspired to follow Jamie’s footsteps to keep Klallam language and culture alive in their community and in the park.
One night Jamie went over a book that described a history of Lower Klallam tribe with me. In her words, I saw much grief and sorrow for her people who have been taken their land, voice, and a way of living. But I didn’t pick up anger or hatred towards white people in her tones. “Education is important. Educating all youth about our history and language is a key to revitalize our culture,” said Jamie. “I open my Klallam language class at Port Angeles High School for all students, not just for Klallam youth. Black, brown and white students are all welcomed. We have institutional racism to overcome and it is a barrier for many students. The more they took Klallam language classes and got involved with Native American Club, the more comfortable they felt. It helped non-Klallam students to understand our culture, breakdown stereotypes, raise awareness. Our campus is becoming more accepting the diversity.”
This is the solution. It is a very simple and basic massage: we all need to work together and understand each other beyond our race and beyond what already have happened. Now is important. Our future is important. How can I help our world to break down the barriers that divide us?
I want to continue to educate myself about tribal cultures and their way of living. I will remind myself to be open, and that my way is just my way and not the right way. We all have a potential to be activists in ourselves if we all take these small steps together.
So, I want to ask – would you join in this journey with me?