The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Washington
Exercising jurisdiction since June 5, 2017.
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is located on the Elwha River, along the north and northeast portion of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. The reservation includes 1,014 acres, and there are currently 882 enrolled tribal members. According to the U.S. Census, the reservation and off-reservation trust land has a population of approximately 758, and is 88 percent Indian and 12 percent non-Indian.
Lower Elwha has both a trial and appellate court. The Court seeks to integrate Western approaches to justice with cultural and customary paths. The Court maintains a successful adult and family Healing and Wellness Court that addresses substance abuse issues. The tribe’s Family Advocacy Department promotes victim safety and autonomy through advocacy and community awareness, providing both direct and referral services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe has not received grant funding from the program authorized in VAWA 2013 to support the exercise of SDVCJ.
Historical Village Sites, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, https://www.elwha.org/culture-history/historical-village-sites/ (last visited Dec. 14, 2017).
2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates--DP05 Demographic and Housing Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau, https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_16_5YR_DP05 (follow “Add/Remove Geographies” hyperlink; then search “Lower Elwha Reservation and Off-Reservation Trust Land, WA”).
Tribal Court, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, https://www.elwha.org/departments/tribal-court/ (last visited Dec. 14, 2017).
Lower Elwha Family Advocacy, Lower Elwah Klallam Tribe, https://www.elwha.org/departments/lower-elwha-family-advocacy/s (last visited Dec. 14, 2017).