Essay about Whale Hunting By the Makah Tribe - 684 Words

Whale hunting has been a way of life for the Makah Tribe for more than 2000 years. They have traditionally depended on the whale meat to survive as well as they have utilized the whales blubber and oil. The dependence on whale hunting has caused the whale to be an integral part of the Makah culture. The whale is in their songs, dances, designs and basketry. It has given them a disciple and pride in their tribe. Yet for the past seventy years the Makah has been prevented from hunting due to the gray whale, the whale they hunt, being on the endangered list. In 1994 the gray whale was removed form the endangered list opening the possibility of the Makah Tribe to hunt again. Yet this possibility has caused anti-whaling organizations†¦show more content†¦This treatys importance to the Makahs is due, to what they feel as, their need for their culture to be able to hunt. They believe that without hunting integrated into their culture their people have grown restless and lack discipline and pride. The also attribute many of their health problems to the lack of sea mammal meat in their diet. They believe that the restoration of whaling will help restore that discipline and pride as well as help physically. The Makah realize that people are concerned that if they resume whale hunting that the gray whale will suffer the possibility of extension again. Yet the treaty carries stipulations on what and how many whales they can kill. The Makah can only kill up to five adult gray males in migration per year. The are not allowed to hunt a calf or a mother with a calf. With the species having its largest population ever at 22,263 and increasing 2.5 percent every year, the Makahs hunt will not threaten the gray whale with endangerment. Anti-whaling organizations argue that if the Makah are allowed to hunt that they should not be able to hunt the migrating males, only those in permanent residence. Yet Makah Tribal Chairman Greig Arnold replied Whaling is dangerous enough just to go, and then to add all these stipulations just makes it more dangerous. These stipulations would force the Makah to hunt in the ocean in December or early spring when the seas are high and the weather isShow MoreRelatedThe Origins Of The Makah Tribe1697 Words   |  7 PagesThe Makah tribe is a native American tribe who lived in Olympic Peninsula in Washington State for centuries. Makah people tended to descend their culture to one another and ran on their traditions through generations. Makah tribe practiced whale hunting in the past as one of their historical traditions when they were given permission after Treaty of†¯Neah.†¯The†¯Makah harvested whale for provisions and countries-exporting values. 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