The Port Angeles Graving Dock Project and Information Site

The last day the site was open was on December 23, 2004. At that time there were 300 fully intact burials and at least 1002 isolates (isolates are pieces of human bone).

Statement by Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald given on December 21, 2004 about the Termination of Work at the Chi-whi-tsen village.

The Washington State Department of Transportation purchased some land on an old Klallam Village called Chi-whi-tsen. As they began preparing the land to build the new Hood Canal Bridge on that site they found some shell midden and some isolate bones. WSDOT contacted the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe and the Makah Tribe. The Makah Tribe contacted the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and informed the tribe of what was going on.

Council members got a call from at the time Tribal Council Secretary-Treasure Frances G. Charles. They went to the site the next day to view what had been found.

Sign the petition for support closing down the Graving Dock Site.