One of the smallest tribes found to possess a tribal flag is the tiny Jamestown
S'Klallam or Klallam of the 11 acre Jamestown Reservation in western Washington
State. According to Indian Service Population and Labor Force Estimates (US Dept. of
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1995) only 216 people were members of the tribe.,
Though very small the Jamestown S'Klallam possess a strikingly designed seal
which serves as a major element of their flag. The seal, like many other Pacific
northwest tribes call upon the distinctive art so frequently associated with totem poles by
those not overly familiar with the art of the northwest. It features stylized representations
of an eagle intertwined with a salmon all on a gray circle.
According to Annette White of the Jamestown S'Klallam, the eagle serves as a
symbol of "strength, power, freedom and as an enduring vision of the past and future that
surveys his domain and is one with the Earth". The salmon stands for "life, continuance,
perpetual adaptation and the pulse of the Earth". Both elements appear in black and gray
with red-ochre highlights.
The seal appear upon a dark blue flag right against the hoist. Going behind the
seal just below the middle of the flag is a narrow red band going across the full length of
the banner. At the fly end, above the red line appears the tribe's name in white while
below it is the tribal name in its native tongue, "The Strong People" also in white. Only
one copy of the flag is known to exist.
Go on to Kialegee Creek
