Neah Bay – Makah Country

Neah Bay

Makah Marina

A Sea Lion welcomes us at Makah Marina

Neah Bay is on the Makah Indian Reservation and is the only Native American Tribe with the right to hunt whales guaranteed by treaty and is an active fishing community.  We moored at Makah Marina and were surrounded by fishing boats coming and going throughout the early morning hours and late into the night.  During our stay, we visited the Makah Museum which houses 500 year old artifacts from the Ozette Archaeological Site.  The centuries-old Ozette Village was located 15 miles south of present-day Neah Bay and was buried by a mudslide around 1750, preserving precious artifacts.  Tidal erosion in 1970 exposed Native Longhouses and thousands of artifacts were recovered including tools, clothing, furniture, baskets, weapons, and fishing implements.  Washington State University spent eleven years excavating this archaeological find, perhaps the most significant in North America.  There were five permanent villages within the Makah territory:  the Waatch, Sooes, Deah, Ozette, and Bahaada.  In the early 1800’s these villages were home to upwards of 4,000 Makah.  Today the population at Neah Bay is significantly less - 865 persons with 77 percent Native American.

Cedar Boxes - Makah Museum

Symbolic Art - Makah Museum