Coast Salish Culture & Environmental Stewardship

This transformative journey invites participants to explore the rich cultural heritage and environmental stewardship of the Coast Salish peoples, emphasizing their deep connection to salmon habitat conservation and land preservation. Through immersive, hands-on experiences on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and in the Nisqually region, students will gain a profound understanding of Indigenous traditions, ecological restoration, and the urgent need for salmon recovery.

Guided by Global Family Travels’ Learn, Serve & Immerse pillars, participants will LEARN about the history, culture, and ecological knowledge of the Coast Salish peoples, engaging with five different tribes, including the Makah and Nisqually. They will explore salmon recovery efforts on the Elwha River, witness the impact of dam removal on local ecosystems, and take part in conservation practices such as habitat restoration and invasive species removal. The journey extends beyond ecological studies, delving into cultural traditions through guided nature walks and hands-on crafting experiences with tribal members.

Through the SERVE component, students will actively contribute to salmon habitat restoration, working alongside the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Nisqually Land Trust. Conservation efforts include restoring native plant habitats and improving river ecosystems critical for salmon survival. Participants will also engage in facilitated discussions with experts, learning firsthand about the challenges and successes of ongoing environmental restoration.

To IMMERSE in Coast Salish traditions, travelers will engage with tribal members through cultural experiences that highlight Indigenous ways of life. Activities such as crafting cedar roses, learning about traditional plant uses, and participating in guided nature walks will provide deeper insights into the interconnectedness of people, land, and water. Additionally, by participating in salmon habitat recovery efforts, students will gain a personal connection to the region’s restoration efforts and the resilience of the communities working to sustain their lands and waters for future generations.

This unique experience fosters cross-cultural understanding and environmental stewardship, inspiring participants to become advocates for sustainability and conservation in their own communities.

Global Family Travels’ vision is to unite humanity and inspire travelers to take responsibility for the challenges and opportunities facing our increasingly interconnected planet.  Our mission is to Learn, Serve and Immerse, using travel as a means to build cultural bridges and to foster global citizens. Using tourism to help solve community challenges, we organize sustainable travel opportunities in partnership with local and global non-profit organizations and support many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Through partnerships with many Seattle-area non-profit organizations that address community challenges, our one-day educational outings in Seattle are designed to create meaningful connections and support Destination Stewardship, including the preservation of diverse and native cultures, conservation, education, and economic growth of Greater Seattle. 

Learn more here: https://www.globalfamilytravels.com/our-company

On April 20th, 2024, Global Family Travels, the World Affairs Council Global Classroom, and Nisqually tribal members collaborated on an enriching day of learning and exploration at the Leschi Heritage Center (Nisqually Culture Center). Participants heard from Native education specialists, as well as representatives of Washington State tribes and non-profit organizations deeply involved in environmental stewardship and cultural heritage preservation. They Illuminated the ecological history of the region, shared invaluable native and outdoor educational resources, and discussed conservation practices aimed at restoring harmony between humans and nature. You can view the Online Resource Packet which currently lives on the website of the Global Classroom Program of the Seattle World Affairs Council and is free for anyone to download. 

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is a sovereign, federally recognized Indian Nation, with its own constitution and government. Not only does the Tribe govern itself, but many Tribal administrative departments oversee the everyday function of the reservation and provide for Tribal members.

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe resides in the Lower Elwha River Valley and adjacent bluffs on the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula just west of Port Angeles, Washington. As recognized by the United States in 1855’s Treaty of Point No Point, the Tribe has lived in this area since time immemorial.

The Tribe's mission is to ensure that the Lower Elwha Klallam people can pass on their way of life to their children, and their vision is to build a strong and healthy sovereign nation where Tribal members live their values and culture.   This means enhancing the lives of the Lower Elwha Klallam people, both both physically and spiritually through social well being and economic independence while preserving and enhancing our natural resources and cultural heritage.

The Tribe’s current land base was initially acquired by the United States in trust for the Tribe in 1935-36 and these lands were proclaimed as the Lower Elwha Reservation in 1968. Today tribal lands include about 1,000 acres on and near the Elwha River.

Learn more about the tribe here: https://www.elwha.org/.

“S’Klallam” derives from “nuxsklai’yem,” the original Salish language name for the S’Klallam people meaning “strong people.” The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is one of three S’Klallam bands; the others are the Lower Elwha Klallam and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribes.

Inhabiting this area for more than 10,000 years, the S’Klallams possessed a rich social and religious culture based on the abundant natural resources of the Northwest Coast. They moved from village to village in their traditional territory during the spring, summer and fall, for fishing and resource gathering, and settled into more permanent longhouses for the winter months. The inhabitants hunted game and subsisted on the wealth of shellfish, herring, and salmon. They were craftspeople skilled in woodcarving and basket making, and they fashioned ceremonial masks, serving dishes and utensils, and storage boxes from cedar, and woven mats, rope, and clothing from cedar bark.

Learn more here:  https://jamestowntribe.org/

The Nisqually Tribe, a Coast Salish people of indigenous Native Americans, have a rich history deeply rooted in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. Traditionally, their territory spanned from Mount Rainier to the southern Puget Sound area, including the Nisqually River watershed. The tribe has been known for their fishing, hunting, and gathering culture, with a deep connection to the land and natural resources. In 1854, the Nisqually were signatories to the Treaty of Medicine Creek, which ceded vast tracts of their ancestral lands to the U.S. government, resulting in significant cultural and environmental impact. Over the years, the Nisqually have been active in asserting their treaty rights, particularly in regard to fishing rights, famously highlighted by the "Fish Wars" of the 1960s and 1970s, which reaffirmed their rights through the Boldt Decision. Today, the Nisqually Tribe continues to lead in environmental stewardship and cultural preservation, demonstrating resilience and dedication to their heritage and community.

The Makah Tribe, an indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast, resides at the extreme northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, near Cape Flattery. Known for their deep maritime heritage, the Makah have been called the "people who live by the rocks and the seagulls" and have traditionally relied on the ocean for whaling, fishing, and seal hunting, skills that have been passed down through generations. The Makah Tribe’s historical and cultural connection to whaling is particularly significant, as they are the only tribe in the United States with a treaty right to hunt whales—a practice that reflects their respect for and spiritual relationship with nature.

Their name, "Makah," given by neighboring tribes, means "generous with food" in recognition of their storied feasts and hospitality. In 1855, the Makah signed the Treaty of Neah Bay with the U.S. government, which secured their rights to hunt and fish in their traditional territories. The Makah Cultural and Research Center, which houses artifacts from the 500-year-old Ozette Village archaeological site, plays a vital role in preserving their rich history and culture. Today, the Makah Tribe remains active in cultural preservation, natural resource management, and community development, reflecting their enduring connection to their ancestral lands and waters.

The Nisqually Land Trust owns around 6000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat lands that stretch from just outside the gates of Mount Rainier National Park to the shorelines of South Puget Sound. They have a focus on Nisqually River watershed lands that are important for recovering struggling native salmon populations. The Land Trust actively stewards their habitat lands by engaging community volunteers, partners, and their staff in removing invasive plants, planting native plants, and doing property clean ups as needed. They also lead educational walks on their properties to teach people about the places they are committed to stewarding for future generations.

​As part of the Elwha River Watershed restoration, the two dams on the river are in the process of being removed and various restoration projects are being carried out to try to return the watershed to its pre dam condition. River restoration projects fall into two major categories: re-vegetation and engineered log jams.

Revegetation projects will help restore native plants to the areas around the dams. Currently, the dams and their reservoirs cover about 715 acres of land that was covered historically with native plants. Now that the dams are being removed and the reservoirs are being drained, 684 of those acres will be exposed and available for replanting.

In addition to blocking the passage of salmon upriver, the dams were blocking the downriver transport of trees, branches, and root wads. In healthy rivers and streams, large woody debris accumulates naturally and provides habitat for fish. The depletion of this debris from the lower Elwha River resulted in limited spawning and rearing habitat for salmon. In an effort to restore large woody debris (pre dam removal), engineers and biologists have constructed man-made versions of these debris collections called engineered log jams.

Revegetation: Restoration projects will focus on replanting the land behind the dams with native plants and preventing non-native plants from growing there. Ongoing research studies consider seedbanks, sediments, seed transport, invasive species, and methods for revegetation.​

​Engineered Log Jams: Since 1999, more than 33 engineered log jams have been installed in the Lower Elwha River to restore critical salmon habitat.

Learn more about the Elwha River restoration by clicking on this link. 

Photo credit: Society for River Restoration

Home to alpine ridges, temperate rainforest and rugged coastline, Olympic National Park boasts three stunning, distinct ecosystems. Amidst it all, the NatureBridge campus sits on the shore of glacially-carved Lake Crescent.  Trails lead from the steps of our historic cabins to lush, old growth forest and salmon-filled waterways.

Here, students apply environmental science in a real-world setting, family members strengthen ties with one another and to nature, conference attendees meet in an idyllic setting, and backpacking crews trek through the park, engaged in scientific study along the way.

Lodging 
We offer accommodations in standard and historic cabins. Standard cabins contain four to six rooms that can accommodate up to six people per room in three bunkbeds. Historic cabin configurations vary and house fewer guests. Linens can be provided for all conference and retreat guests upon request for an additional charge. 

 

   

We are pleased to be partnering with Olympic Hiking Co, a commercially authorized tour company that provides guided day tours, trailhead shuttles, and backpacking trips throughout Olympic National Park. Founded in 2016, our company is headquartered in Port Angeles, WA and employs a fantastic local team of 20+ employees. Our guides, drivers, and operations team members help us welcome over 4,000 travelers each year

  

 

  

Convenience and fun are at your doorstep when you stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites Tacoma DuPont. Located just off I-5 near JBLM and midway between Tacoma and Olympia, our Dupont, WA, hotel ensures your trip is a breeze. Attractions such as spectacular Puget Sound, Washington’s State Capitol, Mount Rainier National Park and the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge are all within a short drive of our hotel. 

A regenerative approach to tourism helps ensure that travel experiences are designed to benefit diverse communities and to intentionally improve social and environmental systems, so that all beings can thrive.  This means putting the destination’s needs at the heart of the tourism experience, and creating opportunities to inspire travelers to be stewards of the place they visit, thereby consciously helping to build a more ethical, ecological, and equitable world. 

The Olympic Peninsula is a large arm of land in western Washington that lies across Puget Sound from Seattle, and contains Olympic National Park. It is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the east by Hood Canal. Cape Alava, the westernmost point in the contiguous United States, and Cape Flattery, the northwesternmost point, are on the peninsula. Comprising about 3,600 square miles (9,300 km2), the Olympic Peninsula contained many of the last unexplored places in the contiguous United States.

Named after the Olympic Mountains it encompasses, the park was established on June 29, 1938, by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to preserve the area's unique wildlife and landscapes. There are few parks with such diverse ecosystems and varied geography.

The Olympic Peninsula is home to the longest natural sand spit in North America. The Dungeness Spit is just north of Sequim, Washington boasting breathtaking views, rich maritime history, and an abundance of wildlife. It stretches nearly seven miles north into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and continues to grow by around 13 feet each year. Hiking the Dungeness Spit is a rewarding experience for all levels of physical ability.