Makah tribe and Whaling Rights

Controversy Should the Makah be allowed to hunt whales again?

Background information

A Makah Tradition

Whaling= Makah Tradition Tribe on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington History of whaling and sealing In 1855, Treaty of Neah Bay: granted Makah right to whale only US treaty to allow whaling Last whale hunt in 1920’s – declined pop. due to commerical whaling

Makah Tradition Traditionally hunted Humpbacks, Right, Sperm, Gray, Fin and Blue whales. Gray whale listed on Endangered Species List in 1970; removed in 1994.

Controversy Begins Makah request to begin whaling 70 yrs after they voluntarily quit b/c commercial whaling reduced whale populations Because of 1855 treaty, US could not deny them (1855 has precedent over IWC of 1946) Makah asked US Government to get approval from IWC as aboriginal subsistence whaling (5 whales per year)

Controversy Continues In 1996, US asked IWC for 5 Gray whales per year for Makah It was DENIED: - no longer a continuing tradition - no longer a nutritional need In 1997, US asked again BUT… - US made a side deal with Russia to exchange whales - Makah request coupled with Russia’s aboriginal renewal request - Harder to deny since IWC would have to deny Russia Makah granted 20 gray whales killed or 33 wounded over 5 years

Traditional Makah Whale Hunt

The history of Makah whaling dates back to somewhere around 1500 years ago. Hunting of the whale is what uniquely identifies and defines the Makah as the “Makah” among all other Northwest tribes living along the northwest coast of Canada. (Sullivan 2000:13) The Makahs have a unique history as “great whalers and fisherman” among indigenous coastal peoples of British Columbia and Washington. (Ringuette and Porter 2000:1)

Modern 1999 Makah Whale Hunt

Over 70 years have passed since the last hunt of the gray whale was celebrated by the Makah Indian Tribe. On May 17, 1999, armed with a .577 high caliber powered rifle, a 30-foot canoe, and a steel harpoon, decedents of the Makah resurrected their cultural tradition of hunting the whale.

Continuing Controversy Many oppose the IWC’s decision to allow Makah to hunt whales, claiming it’s unfair and no longer culturally necessary.

Brought up the controversy started in 1994 all over again! Recent Event September 2007 Five Makah men shot and killed a whale without tribal or National Marine Fisheries Service permission Brought up the controversy started in 1994 all over again!

Makah Rights

Makah should be able to whale It is a long standing cultural tradition. Whales are killed using humane technology. 1855 Treaty grants them the right to whale.

Environmentalist Opposition

Makah should NOT be able to hunt whales Hunting whales is no longer necessary for Makah survival. Hunting whales is no longer a cultural tradition for the Makah, and they do not use traditional methods.