[3] During construction in August 2003 of a graving dock associated with replacement of the Hood Canal Bridge, the village's cemetery and other prehistoric remains were discovered.

The Washington State Department of Transportation decided to halt all construction efforts related to the graving dock on December 21, 2004.

As a child, Smith had been warned by adults never to walk on or play on the site of Tse-whit-zen, as it was considered sacred by her people.

She was also instrumental in gaining removal of the Elwha Dam and contributing to preservation of the Klallam language through creating a dictionary and written form.

[6] The site is the largest ancient (pre-contact) Native American village discovered in Washington state to date (as of 2013).