OAK HARBOR, Wash. -- A local Native American tribe is steaming after an ancient burial ground was unearthed by construction workers in Oak Harbor.
Three gravesites were accidentally dug up containing human remains that are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old. The Swinomish Tribe says the accident should have never happened - because state archaeologists warned the city in 2009 that remains could be buried at the site along Southeast Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor.
For now, construction work has stopped until the tribe can find out how to properly remove the remains.
"It just created a lot disturbance and spiritual pain," said Larry Campbell, Historical Preservation Officer for the Swinomish Tribe. "It should never have happened."
The City of Oak Harbor is now working with tribe to make things right.
"It was an oversight that we didn't acknowledge the states recommendations," said Eric Johnston, City Engineer. "It was not intentional and not meant to happen. It just fell through the cracks."
The "oversight" could be costly for the City of Oak Harbor now that the project may fall behind schedule. It is also paying for a team of archaeologists and security guards.
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