Welcome to ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse.
ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse is the first longhouse in the nation built on a community college campus. The vision of the Longhouse to be a center for cultural expression and educational achievement for all students and community members was woven together by Peninsula College and six Sovereign Nations: Hoh, Quileute, Makah, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, and Lower Elwha Klallam.
Student Study Hall & Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 12:00–3:00 pm.
The Mission of ʔaʔkʷustəŋáw̕txʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse
The Longhouse is a gathering place to teach, learn, and share cultural traditions, knowledge, and identity. The Longhouse is a place to acknowledge and respect our unique differences and diversity. Opening its doors in 2007, the Peninsula College Longhouse:
- Serves as a cultural and educational resource for understanding, honoring, and sharing our cultural heritages.
- Creates a special place to gather and learn for cultural ceremonies, community events, classes, workshops, study groups, and individual study.
- Builds bridges of understanding and knowledge and provides a welcoming environment for all students, college staff, and community.
- Learn the Story of the Peninsula College Longhouse
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The House of Learning is the first Longhouse in the nation to be built on a community college campus. The vision of a Longhouse as a center for cultural expression and educational achievement for all students and community members has been woven together by Peninsula College and six Tribes of the Olympic Peninsula: Hoh, Quileute, Makah, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Jamestown S'Klallam, and Lower Elwha Klallam.
On October 15, 2007, Tribal Leaders and the college opened the Longhouse with a cedar bark ribbon cutting ceremony. The Grand Opening ceremony and celebration honored both the building, which culminated from more than two years of planning and construction, and the important Tribal and community relationships that made it possible.The Documentary
“House of Learning: The Spirit of the Peninsula College Longhouse,” tells the story of the vision, relationships and living spirit of ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse. This 30-minute documentary, from Kokopele Productions NW, includes interviews with tribal elders, students, and leaders, as well as Peninsula College faculty, staff and others who have been part of this very special experience. Please contact Longhouse@pencol.edu for more information about the Longhouse story and the documentary.
Longhouse | House of Learning Documentary, Part 1
- Peninsula College's Connections to Area Tribes
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Peninsula College is privileged to partner with area Tribes. We approach every connection with deference and respect. We honor and respect the sovereign status of Tribes and work steadfast to uphold our relationship with the Tribal governments of the Olympic Peninsula.
- ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse is the first longhouse in the nation built on a community college campus. The vision of the Longhouse to be a center for cultural expression and educational achievement for all students and community members was woven together by Peninsula College and six Sovereign Nations: Hoh, Quileute, Makah, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, and Lower Elwha Klallam.
- Peninsula College offers transferable world language credit classes in Klallam/S’Klallam and Makah. The faculty union contract now recognizes sovereign tribal government's language/culture teacher certification.
- A new Integrated Indigenous Studies Pathway is in development with History, Social Sciences, and Humanities courses currently being offered. The entire AA-DTA will incorporate Indigenous course materials, ways of knowing, and pedagogy.
- This year, the 10th annual Native American Culture Fair will be held in the Longhouse. Local Indigenous high school students share their culturally-relevant projects. This annual collaborative program was created to spotlight the voices of youth and provide the opportunity for students to educate the college campus and community about tribal history, culture, traditions, art, and language.
- Peninsula College’s First Nations Student Club meets regularly in the Longhouse. Last year, a PC Welding student who is a member of the Makah Tribe demonstrated a traditional salmon bake.
- The Longhouse Graduation Celebration brings together families, graduates, and friends to honor the accomplishments and success of students.
- Tribal Education Partners meet twice annually with College faculty and staff to assure supports are in place for Indigenous students and instructional programming is relevant.
- Peninsula College’s Multicultural and Inclusion Advisor serves as the primary point person to support Indigenous students navigate college. This position was a recommendation from the Longhouse listening sessions.
- A successful 2023 Government to Government Summit brought together Tribal Leaders from 5 out of 6 area Tribes to meet with the College Board of Trustees and President.
- A longstanding Longhouse Scholarship and new President’s Scholarship for area Tribes support Indigenous students to pursue higher education.
- The Port Angeles and Forks campuses feature wayfinding signs that include a territory acknowledgement relevant to each campus location, and words of welcome and encouragement in the local Indigenous languages. The signs were developed through a collaboration between the college and Tribal representatives selected by each Tribal Council.
Engage with the Longhouse
- Reserve the Longhouse
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The Longhouse can be reserved for conferences, workshops, demonstrations, film screenings, performances, lectures, and cultural offerings. Additionally, the Longhouse is equipped with state-of-the-art A/V equipment, as well as a catering kitchen.
- To reserve the Longhouse for your event or occasion, please contact: room.info@pencol.edu or call (360) 417-6528.
- To reserve the Longhouse for Tribally-sponsored events, please contact: longhouse@pencol.edu or call (360) 417-7992.
- Longhouse Art Gallery
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The permanent collection of art in the Longhouse represents six local tribes: Hoh, Quileute, Makah, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, and Elwha Klallam. International artists also have works on display, and new pieces are being added continually. Each artistic creation carries a story along with layers of meaning which contribute to the uplifting, collaborative and reverent intention behind the Spirit of the Longhouse.
Tribal artwork is featured throughout the Peninsula College campus, and the Longhouse is home to a number of diverse works from a variety of artists and disciplines.
Peninsula College is seeking Artists to exhibit in the Longhouse Art Gallery. A vital goal of ʔaʔkʷustəŋáw̕txʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse is to support artists whose sharing will educate the campus community and visitors on their Indigenous art, craft, and culture. For more information please contact longhouse@pencol.edu.
- Get Involved & Contribute
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Join the Longhouse Family
- Stop in for Student Study Hall! Students can use our loaner laptops, and Wi-Fi is available. Study Hall times are posted quarterly.
- Visit rotating Artist Exhibits featured in the Longhouse Art Gallery.
- Volunteer in the Longhouse! There are many ways that you can contribute your time and talents in the Longhouse programs.
- Collaborate with the Longhouse! We actively seek community participation and collaboration in our programs.
- Reserve the Longhouse! Do you have an event or meeting that you would like to hold in the Longhouse? Tribally-sponsored events are eligible for a fee waiver.
Help Realize the Vision of the Longhouse
To make a difference in the current vibrant programs of the Longhouse, make a much-needed donation to the Longhouse Program Fund which supports cultural workshops, guest artist exhibits and receptions, student leadership activities, and collaborative cultural events with the community partners. To help sustain the long-term vision of the Longhouse, you can contribute to the Peninsula College Longhouse Endowment.
- To learn more about making a difference with a tax-deductible donation, please contact the Peninsula College Foundation:
Cheryl Crane
Peninsula College Foundation Director
ccrane@pencol.edu or (360) 417-6400
- To contribute your time and talents or art, books, workshop materials, etc. to the Longhouse programs, please contact the Longhouse Coordinator:
Sadie Crowe
Longhouse Steward
longhouse@pencol.edu or (360) 417-7992
Contact Information
Questions? Need more information or want to schedule a tour? Please contact the Peninsula College Longhouse:
Sadie Crowe
Longhouse Steward
longhouse@pencol.edu
(360) 417-7992