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Whaling In Nasah Vs Makah

920 Words4 Pages

The grey whale population in 2001 was about 26,000, although this is the highest it’s ever been, is it a valid reason for them to be hunted? Animal activist groups think the hunting of grey whales is inhuman. Whereas the Makah, a tribe who hunt whales, believes it is part of their culture. This is the root of all conflict, multiple groups with opposing opinions. Some of the reasons this conflict arose is because of whale population, treaty rights, and most importantly the break the Makah took from whaling.
In 1855, In Neah Bay, a treaty was signed between the Makah, a Native American tribe, and the US Government specifying what land they will give up and what rights they will in order for the Americans peacefully settle near them. The Makah …show more content…

The makah believe that this excerpt from their treaty says they can whale, “... whaling or sealing at usual and accustomed grounds and stations is further secured...” (article 6) The Makah also state that the US government told them they could whale and they gave up over 100 acres of land for that right (video) Although it seems to say explicitly in the treaty that the Makah can whale, others argue it says something else. Animal activists brought up the line in the treaty regarding whaling rights, “... is further secured to said Indians in common with other citizens…” which could be interpreted as saying that they can only whale when other US citizens can whale. (Article 6) They also say that the MMPA only allows aborgational whaling and the Makah do it for cultural needs, which isn’t legal. (Article …show more content…

The Makah say they stopped whaling to protect the endangered animal that was so sacred to them. (Article 2) The makah also argue that just because they stopped whaling, doesn't mean it's any less important to them. “Whaling is what we do; it’s what all our songs and stories are about.” (article 1) Animal activists counter this argument with the fact that they survived almost 100 years without whaling. (Article 5) They say that since there is no more survival need, there is no need at all “Tradition and Culture must not be the basis for slaughter.” (article 4) This point is the most important because they proved the can live without whales, regardless of the effect it has on them. Also, this issue might not have even happened because if they never stopped, no one would have noticed and there would be less evidence against the Makah, possibly making the argument easier to

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