300 attend ‘healing’ at former graving yard construction site

PORT ANGELES — Three hundred people gathered Saturday in a sleet-swept construction yard to help heal the wounds they felt in the Hood Canal Bridge graving yard controversy.

For three hours, Native Americans and non-Natives prayed and sang in English and Salish, heard words of support from other Northwest Washington tribes, and shared hopes that the site of a former Klallam village and its people could be renewed.

The 22.5 acres of waterfront land would have become a mammoth onshore dry dock to build huge concrete anchors, pontoons, and highway decks to replace the east end of the Hood Canal Bridge.

That was before workers discovered artifacts, human bones and entire burials from the former village of Tse-whit-zen.

“I welcome you to our village,” said Frances Charles, chairwoman of the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe, whose ancestors lived on the spot as long as 2,700 years ago.

“To see the different nationalities and races standing here in your support is great medicine for the Klallam people,” said Dennis Sullivan, tribal vice chairman.

Another Lower Elwha Klallam member, Phil Charles, said: “It is very good four our hearts and our souls. You are making my heart smile.”

More in News

Port Angeles teachers’ union votes to honor paraeducators’ picket line on April 8

Members of the Port Angeles Education Association voted overwhelmingly… Continue reading

Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Operation at Legion Hall to close April 30

Port of Port Angeles renews lease for Composite Recycling Technology Center

Agreement covers 26,000 square feet at airport business park

Fire district volunteers lauded

Clallam County Fire District No. 3 recently recognized seven members… Continue reading

Clallam to continue providing deputy to Forks

Contract includes wages, mileage and maintenance reimbursement

Maintenance closes section of Olympic Discovery Trail

A portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail is closed… Continue reading

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif., members of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and working with the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Board, remove poisonous hemlock weed from along the Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Poison hemlock removal in Port Townsend

Hanna Paoluccu of Alexander, N.Y., and Rosie Berg of Nevada City, Calif.,… Continue reading

YMCA to build childcare facility

$1-2M still needed for $6.7M project

Port Townsend Police Department recognizes award recipients

The Port Townsend Police Department recognized officers, employees, volunteers… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School evacuated due to bomb threat

Nothing suspicious found, principal says

A tree that has grown out of its tree box and shattered a nearby curb and sidewalk in the 100 block of North Oak Street is among those targeted for removal and replacement in downtown Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles tree and sidewalk replacement to begin Monday

The Port Angeles downtown tree and sidewalk replacement project… Continue reading

Grant for Forks treatment plant to be discussed

The Clallam County Opportunity Fund Advisory Board will discuss… Continue reading