makah whaling

Hunting whales have been an important part of the culture and survival of the Makah tribe for 1500 years. The Makah claim that that their right to hunt and harvest whales is secured in the treaty of Neah Bay, signed in 1855 by the US. Government. Many Makah feel that their health problems result in some degree, to the loss of their traditional diet of seafood and marine mammal meat. However the American society admires whales as remarkable mammals. Many people are concerned for their suffering during whaling operations and most oppose any form of whaling. They fear that the Makah will sell the meat to japan. The Makah hunt is being used by Japanese and other as evidence that whale populations globally are strong enough to end the ban on commercial whaling.
Whale hunting has been a way of life for the Makah Tribe for more than 1500 years.” There only of living depended on the whale meat to survive. To them Whaling wasn’t just to hunt and eat it was much more than that it was like a symbol of hope for them. They used the whales for other purposes such as, blubber and oil. The need on whale hunting has affected the whale to be an important part of the Makah culture. “The whale is in their songs, dances, designs and basketry.” It has given them a supporter and power in their tribe. -- Editorial, the Seattle Times states “The Makah tribe is troubled in many ways. Over 70 percent unemployment [and] drug and alcohol addiction plagues many tribal members living on the North Olympic Peninsula.” This is why; I’m in support of the Makah to hunt whales. Another editor of The New York Times states, “The Makah’s should continue on their path of renewing tradition in the face of fanatical, irrational opposition. Protecting the last vestiges of Native American culture from extinction is as important as protecting a whale species from extinction.” From this we can see that without whale hunting the Makah’s have nothing to live for. Therefore, I’m in support of the Makah to