PORT ANGELES — Nontombi Naomi-Cecilia Tutu, daughter of Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu and herself a world-recognized champion of human rights, will visit the site of the former Klallam village of Tse-whit-zen and speak on healing hostilities generated by the Hood Canal Bridge graving yard project shutdown.
Tutu, who will visit Port Angeles on May 6-7, will speak to a limited audience at a Friday night welcome dinner and to a larger gathering — which will include questions and answers — at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Port Angeles High School.
Her topic: “Tse-whit-zen, the Graving Yard and Searching for Common Ground.”
Between appearances, she will visit the village and cemetery site that lie beneath the canceled graving yard on Marine Drive.
Tutu also may meet privately with Lower Elwha Klallam representatives and other key people, and hold a news conference.
“The purpose of her visit is to talk about truth and reconciliation as a model for overcoming racism,” said Karen Hanan, executive director of Arts Northwest.
Hanan and the Rev. Charlie Mays, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, led the effort to bring Tutu to Port Angeles.
Ticket costs
Tickets to the dinner will cost $50 per person, with at least 10 set aside for sponsors who donate $1,000 and $2,000. Maximum seating will be 100 people.
Tickets to the lecture will cost $12 for reserved seats, $10 non-reserved, $8 for students non-reserved.
Tickets will be available at Port Book and News bookstore in Port Angeles, Pacific Mist Books in Sequim, and the Lower Elwha Klallam Elwha Tribal Center starting April 11, or from Susan Chadd, 360-457-8359.
The Port Angeles Association of Religious Communities’ Jubilee Fund will receive ticket money.
The Jubilee Fund supports events or art works that benefit the community.
Tutu will be paid for her appearance. Hanan declined to say how much.
“Her agency likes to keep these things quiet,” she said.
“If there is any money left over, it will hopefully be used to do similar things down the line,” Hanan said.
“We hope to continue the dialogue.”