“Welcome to Klallam and S’Klallam Territory” opens the 2017-2018 Studium General series, starting at 12:35 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, in Peninsula College’s Little Theater, 1502 E, Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.

A reception follows in the Peninsula College Longhouse immediately following the presentation.

The event is free and open to the public.

Leaders from the language programs of each of the three bands — the Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam and Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes — will offer a brief history focused on the revitalization of language and its important role in life, culture, history, and education.

Last year, the Fall Quarter Studium Generale series at Peninsula College began with “Education in Klallam and S’Klallam Territory,” with the focus on language providing an opportunity to honor and respect the history and culture of the people whose name refers to “The Strong People.”

In the 1980s, tribal leaders applied for federal grants so that they could access funding for language revitalization.

A collaboration between these leaders and Timothy Montler, a linguist/professor from the University of North Texas, led to a many-decades commitment to language revitalization. The two worked closely with elders and with youth, not only to transcribe the language into written text but to emphasize the importance of the language to be a “living language.”

The language is available from the Early Head Start classrooms through to the college level. High school students can earn credits for “foreign language” which is now known as “World Language” because of the local, indigenous influences on such terms.

Members of the Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam and Lower Elwha Klallam tribe who have been teaching the language and have been involved in the language programs will offer a panel-presentation.

All are invited to a reception in ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ, the House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse, directly following the presentation.

The first longhouse built on a community college campus, ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ was named in the Klallam/S’Klallam Language because of its location on the traditional territory of the Klallam/S’Klallam people. This event is one of many throughout the 2017-18 academic year which celebrates the Ten-Year Anniversary of the House of Learning at Peninsula College.

For more information, contact Sadie Crowe at longhouse@pencol.edu or 360-417- 7992.