A retired teacher has opened a fund to help the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe host the 2005 Paddle Journey to Port Angeles — and replace money from the Chamber of Commerce that the tribe has spurned.
The Port Angeles woman, who prefers to remain anonymous, last week started the Elwha Canoe Fund at First Federal Savings & Loan branches in Port Angeles, Forks and Sequim.
Her initial donation was $100.
She said Sunday she was reacting to the chamber’s call Jan. 11 for “very forceful action” to persuade the tribe to “compromise some of their ideals” in the Hood Canal Bridge graving yard impasse.
She called the chamber’s action “insulting and insensitive.”
The Paddle Journey is expected to bring 8,000 visitors to the North Olympic Peninsula when canoes from Northwest Native American tribes and Canadian First Nations make their journey here in August.
The Lower Elwha Klallam had received $2,500 from the chamber, which distributes hotel/motel tax revenue to tourist-oriented events, to help fund the journey.
The tribe returned the money after Chamber President Dan Gase and Executive Director Russ Veenema asked local legislators to get tough with the tribe on the graving yard stalemate.
The anonymous donor said the fund could help the tribe recoup the money — and maybe more — and express community support for the Lower Elwha Klallam.