PORT ANGELES — The Chamber of Commerce president apologized to the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe Tuesday for misunderstandings resulting from a chamber letter to lawmakers that contained objectionable language to the tribe.
The Jan. 10 letter — and president Dan Gase’s defense of it at a chamber luncheon Monday — was the subject of an emotional exchange at Tuesday’s meeting of the Port Angeles Community Multicultural Task Force.
The letter told of the impasse between the state and tribe over the graving yard issue, “and in the chamber’s opinion, it is time for some very forceful action.”
Gase told the chamber’s luncheon audience Monday that “forceful action” meant action to get legislators’ attention.
He also told the chamber audience that the state Department of Transportation’s abandonment of its Marine Drive graving yard project was not fair to tribal members or taxpayers.
Elwha tribal vice chairman Dennis “Sully” Sullivan on Tuesday said he objected to that statement because the two aren’t separate groups.
“We need to get the word out: The tribe pays taxes,” Sullivan said to a round of applause.
Apology elicited
Sullivan’s statement elicited an apology from Gase.
“I don’t profess to know much about you people,” Gase said.
“I say that without any strings or excuses for any hurt that goes out to your people. Thank you for the opportunity to understand.”
“Thanks,” Sullivan said.
“That means a lot to the tribe. It takes a lot to do that.”