"For almost 3,000 years, the Klallam people have inhabited the northern Washington coast, and it took a $60 million decision to halt a state construction project for anyone to notice.

One of the marvels of Seattle Times reporter Lynda Mapes' extraordinary series on the rediscovery of a rich cultural history was an element of anthropological surprise. In the mind's eye of nearby Port Angeles, and distant Olympia, the tribe's visibility, in the absence of a casino, ranked well below salmon and eel grass on pre-construction checklists for a massive dry dock planned by the state Department of Transportation.

Fragmentary hints of generations of life and death held out the promise of negotiated conditions on which to keep on building. Wishful thinking was stopped by 335 intact skeletal remains. No amount of rationalization or denial could overcome the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's connection to a place."

Get the Story:
Editorial: A massive failure to communicate (The Seattle Times 5/26)

Relevant Links:
Tse-Whit-Zen Village News - http://tse-whit-zen.elwha.nsn.us
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe - http://www.elwha.org

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