I am a makah and proud to be so.I whould be the frist to say how sorry it whent the way it did.but we must do it the right way,time is what makes it so hard for us small tribes to get any thing done.we just want to be who we are.once more i am so sorry,for all.most of all the whale who die and not in the right maner, batch lachester3rd

I never would've believed I'm saying this but my Thanks go out to the Federal Grand Jury, I am a Native American, Native Alaskan, Aleut mostly, we were a whaling & fishing community for years & years. I have cried for this whale so many days, that whale was a resident whale, meaning that they knew these people, these so-called hunts are akin to you befriending your nieghbor's dog & then hunting it down in your back yard!!! Big bad natives, alright This was also a whale that they knew personally, that thier ancestors knew, maybe 2 or 3 generations back. They killed a friend, they killed a family member. I have been raised around all of my "religions". We are all taught not to take any more than you need, to not kill for pleasure or sport, never waste, to always give thanks to the animal that you have taken the life of to sustain yourself. There is no Tribe in this area or anywhere in our Nations that agree with what has happened, but are afraid to speak out as they feel it will throw the treaty rights they trying to get back a hundred years in time. SO THEY ARE SILENT... SO THEY ARE ALSO GUILTY . They have paid & will continue to pay for thier crimes, shortly after the first whale kill, & that whale sat on the beach & rotted... they started having a record number of still births & miscarriages. Did anyone else but me find it interesting that shortly after they got themselves on TV for the whale hunt sham they announced they we're going to open up a new casino???? That's why I called them "the pay per view natives" Oh & a very "Traditional" whale hunt it was. Yes the elders also had power boats & high powered rifles, yep just check your history... DUH!!!! Okay if they wanted to be so traditional & teach their young men, then why couldn't they have had a "Mock whale hunt"??? Because it had nothing to do with whales... It was free advertising, keeping them in the spotlight til the casino's groundbreaking, putting them on the map so to speak. The PPV natives will destroy themselves in time, they are already hard at work on it right now. The sooner the better. I don't even know how to explain how sacred & precious the whales are to us, well most of us, evidently the Makah's feel as though they are not only above the law of the land but also above the Creator's law... As for "no one knew what they were going to do" that is an out & out lie, I grew up on the rez & most of my family couldn't even go to the store without informing everyone, everyone knows who stealing, drinking, cheating, etc... it's the way of life on the rez. For anyone who would go to thier casino, shame on you, you are donating to the blood money funds. Alot of small tribes do just fine without having to murder our brother's & sister's. After this started people would ask me if I was native but the next question was "You aren't one of those makahs are you?" The answer is NO!!!! Even if I was I would NEVER admit it, ever. The next thing that needs to be understood is that it is the Native way that when one of your tribe has done something wrong the whole tribe is responsible, especially the parents or grandparents, so to see these elders stand up & proclaim "It wasn't me" is also a shame to all of us, but it is also a shame to them. There is no more "Honor" so how can there be tradition? Do they cry? Or do they sit in cousel trying to figure out how to pass the blame?

I will be petitioning NOAA; asking that the agency permanently STRIP Makah whaling rights for the following reasons:

A) The Makah Treaty of 1855; specifically Article 4, which allows the tribe to whale, is a 152 year old document; one which pre-dates the AMERICAN CIVIL WAR BY 6 YEARS, and is therefore no longer relevant.

B) The Makah claim of 'subsistence' whaling [under the International Whaling Commission's criteria] is obviously false. You can not "subsist" on whales that your tribe has not hunted for over 70 years.

C) The Makah right to whaling on a 'cultural' basis is no longer true or applicable. In the hunt of 1999 the tribe availed itself of speed boats; cell phones; Coast Guard cutters; "spotters" from helicopters; high powered rifles and machine guns to bring down their prey. The traditional long boats and spears used by their ancestors played a minor and incidental role in the kill. From a "traditional" standpoint, the methods employed were solidly 21st century...and a complete travesty of Makah ancient whaling practices.

D) Whale populations are being depleted at an alarming rate. Pollution, global warming, dwindling food sources, ship strikes, disease, sonar disturbances and rogue whaling worldwide, have all taken a devastating toll on a species capable of producing only one calf, per adult female, per year. No ONE group should be exempt from the global responsibility we ALL share for ensuring the continued survival of our whales. Scientists have recently admitted to miscalculating the 'success' of the Gray whales' return from the brink of extinction. They have observed several 'skinny' Gray whales and conclude that their food sources may be rapidly declining due to global warming.

E) The Makah's cousins, members of the Maa-nulth First Nations, who reside on the Western shores of Vancouver Island have signed an agreement with the Canadian government in which they will honor a 25 year moratorium of their whaling rights. In return, they were given generous concessions of land and cash. If the Makah are genuinely interested in "honoring" whales, they must be committed to allowing them to live in peace and safety; while helping improve the quality of life for all Makah by increasing financial and educational opportunities for their people.

At a time when the world is faced with multiple species extinction; pollution; global warming and rapidly dwindling natural resources, eliminating ALL whaling is the only ethical, moral and ecologically responsible decision to uphold.

Please contact the individuals listed below to demand the permanent revocation of Makah whaling rights:

NOAA ADMINISTRATOR:
Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher
Email: conrad.c.lautenbacher@noaa.gov

ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR: [National Marine Fisheries Service]
Bill Hogarth
Email: bill.hogarth@noaa.gov

SECRETARY OF COMMERCE:
Carlos M. Gutierrez
[NMFS--Northwest Region]
Email: cgutierrez@doc.gov
Phone: (202) 482-2000

Northwest Regional Administrator
Office of Protected Resources [NMFS Headquarters]
BOB LOHN
Email: bob.lohn@noaa.gov
Phone:(206) 526-6150

Brennan, the US Constitution predates the AMERICAN CIVIL WAR by 86 YEARS.

Is it no longer relevant? Especially Article VI, paragraph 2?

I have friends that are Native American and are very proud of their herritage as they should be. I believe that whaling may be a part of your ancestory, but how the whaling was done is what the issue is. If you want to have whale hunts, do the research and do it the way it was menat to be done. I agree that the Makah's should be banned for life from all future whale hunting because the elders are responsible for what the younger generations are learning and doing. I know for a fact that living on the rez, everybody know everything that goes on, especially one that small. But bare in mind that they are only one tribe, do not think badly of all Native Americans just because of the lack of judgement of one tribe. Native American herritage and beliefs are very interesting if you take the time to understand them. I have sent letters to the NOAA asking to have the Makah Tribe banned from all future whale hunting and hope the rest of you do the same.

Nearly every story I've read pertaining to the so called illegal hunt omits the fact that the reason it took the whale so long to die was the Coast Guards interference.
When it comes to the native Americans, our word as a nation is a sarcastic joke.
In my opinion Wayne Johnson and his friends are true American hero's. Remember the Boston Tea Party!

Amanda:

A)in my letter, refers to the points made in B), C), D), and E. These are the reasons a treaty which gives the right to whale in today's world, is blasphemous and irresponsible. Under the present ominous circumstances cetaceans face, this treaty should have been re-negotiated decades ago.

Post Script to Amanda:

You might also be interested in knowing that Article 12, of the same 1855 Makah Treaty granting whaling rights;[rights which ALL Americans had at that time] also states that they [Makah] shall "free all slaves now held by its people, and not to purchase or acquire others thereafter."

In order for society to progress, the most reprehensible aspects of man must forever be obliterated--whether that vile treatment be of human or NON-HUMAN species.

Brennan, your post is an inspiration to all folks who care for what is right and decent. The whale is a mystical creature that has survived time and will survive this old man. I was not sure if the Federal Government would do its duty and indict these rogue whalers. I am most happy to see that they came to the fore when it was obvious that what happened out there on the water was wrong, horribly wrong.

In 1999 I was bitterly opposed to the legal whale hunt that the Makah Nation undertook. The methods used then were not traditional; the methods used recently were not traditional. I fought for what I thought was right and decent back then and I have been doing and will do the same again. Some folk bring in the racist card; this isn’t about who you are or what color your skin is. It’s about killing an animal that has no means of defending itself, it’s about using culture as a reason to kill, its about breaking the law to kill, its about defiance and honor. There is no honor in what the Makah did.

You have to take in the fact that these men were Makah whalers, some of them on the first kill; two were on the Makah whaling commission. They had permission from the Makah Council to take the boat and rifles out on the water. Ben Johnson states he knew they had talked about killing a whale. In the ten years I have had dealing with these people I have come not to believe anything they say. The whaling is all about money and Japanese trade. Mark my words, if the Makah are allowed to hunt whale, taking five a year. They will sell the meat to Japan, and we will see whaling ships from other countries “Traditionally” whaling in the waters of Puget Sound. I am an old man, not long for this planet I hope I never see the day when there is slaughter out in the beautiful sound.

Saysram

Now that you've decided that the Makah's should not hunt whales are you willing to open up your wallets and give them back the Northwest portion of the Olympic Peninsula. Or are you all rippers?

Dale

Since the turn of the century, the government has collected billions of dollars from farming and grazing leases, timber sales, and oil and gas production on Indian lands, B money which is ultimately disbursed to its rightful Indian owner or nation...

The federal government currently holds over $500 million in approximately 500,000 separate IIM accounts. Additionally, more than $400 million flows through these accounts each year.

I think our wallets have been open all the time; we have and are paying for the land.

Saysram

Perhaps it was the Makah's first hunt that taught the recent thugs that killing unarmed harmless intelligent mammals is civilized behavior. Christians used to burn witches as part of their culture. More people can learn from and love a living mammal than a dead one. Please stop the killing!!

Dear Saysram:

Thank you for your supportive comments. You have astutely summed up one of the most nefarious aspects of the Makah Tribe's renewed "interest" in whaling. Tribal Elders have indeed met with Japan's Maruha Co.,[Maruha is one of three massive fishing conglomerates (who own 7 fish processing plants in the Pacific Northwest region, alone...and several hundred more, globally). Maruha, Nissui and Kyokuyo comprise the very CORE of the whaling industry in Japan. Together they have killed over 1/2 million whales since WWII. Recently these companies 'divested' their stock in whaling [to appease growing outrage at Japan's continued rogue whaling despite the International Whaling Commission's ongoing moratorium.] However, their whaling stock was simply transferred to the "Institute of Cetacean Research"...a transparent "front" organization owned by the Japanese government; who has long claimed the whaling is for 'scientific research', yet the whale meat is sold throughout Japan. Kyokuyo reaps millions from this slaughter as it provides the whaling ships AND manufactures/packages and distributes the meat as well. The Makah's low-profile meeting with Maruha does INDEED signal
the future intent for the tribe to process and sell whale meat to Maruha, who already has established processing plants in the Seattle area. Another very disturbing and pressing reason that people should be demanding that NOAA immediately and permanently revoke Makah whaling rights.

Saysram
Please let me remind you many
of the Makah live in poverty not of their making. The only oil they have is that of the whale. If they wish to sell it to Japan or Neptune it is their affair.
"We are not farmers. We are fishermen". Wayne Johnson

Dale,

1. The poverty is not of the American Governments making, the allotment that is provided to the Makah Nation is divided by the Makah Council.

2. The Makah Council can afford to live in big new homes and the tribe lives in poverty? The Council can afford to drive new BMWs? And tribe drives old trucks. The Makah people are not educated, they were fishermen, and they trusted their council to do right by them to build the infrastructure, to bring in the health clinics to educate them, to provide the jobs necessary to make a living. The Makah Council has turned down every offer to bring businesses to the reservation. Why is that?

3.Portions of The Makah Whaling Plan reads:

3. How many whales will the Makahs take?

We are legally permitted to take up to five whales per year, but the Makah gray whale management plan limits the number of landed whales over a five year period to 20—or an average of four per year. The management plan permits whaling only if there is an unmet traditional subsistence or cultural need for the whale in the community. So it is possible that as little as one whale per year will suffice.

Note the permit is in contention with the Department of Fisheries.

4. What species will be hunted?

Only the eastern Pacific or California gray whale will be hunted.

Note this does NOT include resident whales

8. Will the Makahs sell any of the whale meat?

Absolutely not. We will abide by federal laws which prohibit commerce in whale meat. Our Tribal law also prohibits any sale of whale meat or whale products, except for artifacts made by Makah carvers out of whale bone

9. What use will the Makahs make of the whale?

The meat will be distributed to all members of the Tribe, which presently numbers 1,800 persons. Any meat remaining will be frozen in meat lockers for later distribution.

I think this answers the sale of oil, whale meat or by products.

I think this ranks up there with the hanging of Leishi. Its cute that they picked Oct. 12 to have them appear in front of federal court. To bad our word as a nation isn't worth spit when it comes to the Makah's
Ever wonder how things could be different if 80% hadn't died by diseases? We could be working on the whale farm all the livelong day!

This injustice ranks up there with the hanging of Leishi.Oct 12 the traditional Columbus day when they must appear before a Federal magistrate is a snide little touch. Too bad our word as a nation isn't worth a pale of spit when it comes to the Makah's.

I'm back... yes I am a certified card-carrying Native American & Native Alaskan. I have read the responses to the blog here & I keep hearing the same theme... Someone here needs a Whhaaaambulance. Our people were a conquered people, they still are, most by their own choice. We got a raw deal we were exterminated our land, our children, our way of life was stolen. The treaties were bull, plain & simple, if you haven't figured that out by now then you have other issues that need to be addressed. This is 2007, not 1887, 1823, or 1492. There comes a point in time where you just need to "Get over it", grow up, stop whining & do something for yourself. There is rampant diabetes, poverty, violence, & alcoholism on the rez because that is a choice most individuals make daily, I was beaten into coma's 3 times by an abusive alcoholic father, I don't drink or abuse my children because I made a choice to behave & live differently. I know for a fact that none of the folks on the rez right now could live or even come close to surviving in
the "traditional way". I know you're not going to see me dragging my teepee around the Dakota's, or cutting ice for my igloo. No way I could trap & kill an animal, I'd name the poor thing & together we would starve to death!!! None of you could survive the way our forefathers did, we don't have the strength or werewithal to even begin. How bout we have the government issue all of us a tent, give us a couple buffalo's & a buck knife & see how long we last... We are all whining about "Our rights" What about that whale? If you want to claim Native then be Native. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE ARE TAUGHT TO NEVER TAKE MORE THAN WE NEED, TO RESPECT OUR MOTHER THE EARTH, TO HONOR ALL LIVING CREATURES. We as a people, as a sea-going people, have always known that the whales have a soul, I don't give a snot about treaties, you are dishonoring our ancestors by taking what ever you feel is "owed" to you. You are being the same exact way as the founding US forefathers detroying a species for you own benefit & financial gain!!!! How dare you get up on your pulpit & say anything about "The white man" you are worse because you know better. Oh & in case you forgot, as a conquered nation... you don't make the rules anymore, you follow them. Did Albertson's run out of chicken? Did you "REALLY" need to kill this poor baby? So everyone there is starving to death, huh? That's what the food stamps are for, duh. No one outlawed whaling to "pick on us" it was done to protect a species that is no more or less important than you. Why can't we "get it" Again I must ask: How many of you cried for this whale? Did anyone send prayers & smoke to the ancestors for this murder? Oh wait.. no because we have "the right" to do as we please because our ancestors were picked on, NOT US, maybe a few of the elders that survived the boarding schools. Our battles are now fought in court rooms waged with the mind, not with a bow & arrow or tomohawk. If we "get it together" maybe we could win some fights that make sense, get some schools built, some clinics, outlaw liquor on the rez, provide treatment for alcohol & drugs, & just maybe quit looking outside ourselves to find someone else to blame. My grandmother told me years ago, there's no shame in being down, but it's a crying shame to stay there. Just a thought... You know I've always been fiercely proud of who am, & the people I come from, right now I am just relieved that I am not Makah.

Dale, did you see what I posted about the whole "Conquered Nation" thing? Our ancestors were conquered they took our ancestors land, children, & way of life away. It is also ridiculous for you to tell, ask, demand for "Our" land back for 2 reason's, one it was never ours in the first place, we have never had the concept of owning the land, & second this was an act that was commited against our Ancestors...not us. You can not own your Mother, the earth. What are you? Don't say Native... you might have the blood but you are so far removed from who your ancestors are that you probably won't even see them when you go pass on to the spirit world. They'll be hiding from you. How can you compare the murder of our brother's & sister's with the wasting of tea? You just have no idea of why we were able to be "conquered" in the first place do you? When they came to us with the concept of buying the land, our elder's thought it was the silliest thing they had ever heard but obliged them by signing their funny papers, obviously the horrible truth became apparent very fast but if you're going to "claim it" please atleast try to "be it" Maybe go talk to a real medicine man or woman, not a new age shaman, learn what Native beliefs really are, then you can speak for "us"

wayne johnson... I should've known. I refused to read the stories because it is making me so angry & sick so I didn't know who was involved. You just backed up & confirmed everything that Brennen & Saysram have just said, about the makah's. Didn't anyone ever tell you that a wide open mouth usually gathers a foot much faster? Many of the makah's live in poverty because of the lifestyle they live. Every day that you wake up you are offered a choice, to do good or bad, to be right or wrong, when you pick up that bottle, you choose to, when you raise a hand to strike a woman or child that is a choice you make. You are not fishermen, you are criminals, you are murderers. So it is Neptune that you have made the agreements with? Geez no one mentioned Neptune but you. Good to know... I may not be some fancy activist or have law degree, but now I atleast understand how it is that you could treat a whale this way, after seeing the way you treat eachother.

"Saysram
Please let me remind you many of the Makah live in poverty not of their making. The only oil they have is that of the whale. If they wish to sell it to Japan or Neptune it is their affair. "We are not farmers. We are fishermen". Wayne Johnson"

Brandia You have my respect. but I'm afraid I can't agree with much of what you say. The fact that you don't hunt is certainly up to you. The fact the grey has made a wonderful recovery is documented and yes, they are being unfair and picking on you because they figure you will lay down and die. Your grandmother is a very wise person. "Get up, get up, stand up for your rights." Bob Marley. You state you are "relieved I am not Makah" I like the Makah whether they like me or not . They are mighty to go after a whale in small boats! Theres a thing called the human spirit. Darn it! Makes the pulse race. Makes you feel alive! Of course we could all watch TV for our vicarious thrills. MSNBC prison channel is pretty interesting. Right!

I am a student at Cornish College in Seattle and am studying the issues related to Makah whaling. I would be greatly interested in interviewing someone about their thoughts on whaling for a position paper I am writing. That being said, I would appreciate it if you are informed and not just expressing some hot opinions. I am looking at this from a viewpoint of wanting to understand traditional, cultural and spiritual aspects for the tribe, and the idea of whaling in today's world.

Your responses would be greatly appreciated as I have read some rather intriguing posts on this blog.

If you respond to this I will try to set up a way to do the interview via email.
thanks.
Natalie

Dale, I understand about the thrill of living of stepping back in time, to walk in the ways of the ancient ones. I also understand about technology, if you give me a choice on how to cook my dinner tonight by starting my own fire or using my oven well break out the oven mitts, that is all good & well when I go on my journeywalks... but here I would prefer to use technology. I am bowing out of this conversation because I didn't realize that I knew of & had dealings with this family & not any of them were good so now I've stated my peace, that's it. They were wrong, they are going to sell the whales to Neptune, it is no more about tradition than it is about greed. That is not what Natives are about, everyone these days wants to be an "Instant Indian", or of course thier grandmother was a "Cherokee Princess"... We get lost in all this new age garbage & shamanism niether of which encompasses our "religion" as our religion is more a way of life, a set of ideals & principals. No one seems to understand what I'm upset about. That whale was our nieghbor, our relative, an ancient one, a sacred one, did you not feel it's death? It is tradition that when one family member does something to shame themselves the whole family is shamed, the elders usually come in droves to apologize & try to make amends. Instead we've got a bunch of I don't know whats sitting in counsel trying to figure out how to pass the blame onto someone else. This is what people see when they look at me now, I didn't do anything. Why can't they just tell the truth, admit they were wrong & take the punishment like men? They won't they will continue to lie, if it was about drilling a well & not sharing a dime of the proceeds with nieghbors, I wouldn't give a hoot, probably be over there protesting for them, but they took a sacred life, They did waste the first one, or rather it wouldn't have been a good idea to let Neptune or one of the others come carve it up & take thier lot, too much media... Oh & now we've got the interested college students trying to "study" us, to disect our people & culture, to get an A+ who will never think about us again, who will forget the stories & reasons as quickly as the seasons pass. Maybe we'll be a good conversation starter at someone's cocktail party... We need to take responsibility for our actions, we are all the same people with different bands, tribes, or whatever but we are the same people. So since the makah band won't do it I will...

I would like to apologize to our ancestors, our two legged, four legged, feathered, & scaled, sisters & brothers for the murder of this innocent irreplaceable defenseless, beautiful, being. Not all of us stand in haughty defense of our sins. The Creator gave us this land to sustain us & the creature's on it to care for, & mother Earth to care for us. If I could trade my life for it's life I would. I can not undo what's been done by other's but I would like to express my shame & sorrow to all of you for the actions of my people...

Brandia...thank you for your wisdom and input.

Mr. Johnson...the following was quoted by Captain Paul Watson [Sea Shepherd Conservation Society]:

At the IWC meeting in Anchorage in May of this year, Wayne Johnson told Captain Paul Watson that he was looking for a Humpback to kill. "Why eat hamburger (referring to the Gray whale) when we can eat steak (referring to the Humpback). When Captain Watson informed Johnson that the Humpback was endangered and protected, Johnson replied that such things meant nothing to him. "We are Makah and we can do what we want with the whales. We have the right to kill them ALL if we so choose."

Care to comment, Mr. Johnson?

Brandia...thank you for your wisdom and input.

Mr. Johnson...the following was quoted by Captain Paul Watson [Sea Shepherd Conservation Society]:

At the IWC meeting in Anchorage in May of this year, Wayne Johnson told Captain Paul Watson that he was looking for a Humpback to kill. "Why eat hamburger (referring to the Gray whale) when we can eat steak (referring to the Humpback). When Captain Watson informed Johnson that the Humpback was endangered and protected, Johnson replied that such things meant nothing to him. "We are Makah and we can do what we want with the whales. We have the right to kill them ALL if we so choose."

Care to comment, Mr. Johnson?

Brandia...thank you for your wisdom and input.

Mr. Johnson...the following was quoted by Captain Paul Watson [Sea Shepherd Conservation Society]:

At the IWC meeting in Anchorage in May of this year, Wayne Johnson told Captain Paul Watson that he was looking for a Humpback to kill. "Why eat hamburger (referring to the Gray whale) when we can eat steak (referring to the Humpback). When Captain Watson informed Johnson that the Humpback was endangered and protected, Johnson replied that such things meant nothing to him. "We are Makah and we can do what we want with the whales. We have the right to kill them ALL if we so choose."

Care to comment, Mr. Johnson?

I'm not Wayne Johnson.Perhaps he was playing head games with Captain Paul. After all the fine folks at Sea Shepherd aren't exactly friendly to the Makah whale hunters!

Makah whalers plead not guilty. Yes! They are facing up to $100,000 fine and a year in prison a piece. This is diabolical. Does anyone know if a defense fund has been set up for the Makah Five?

Upon review the National Marine Fisheries Service, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has conflicts of interest. Fisheries Service is overseeing the federal court-ordered environmental impact statement on the Makah tribe's request to resume authorized whaling.

The conflicts include:
• The Makah's recently hired marine mammal biologist is Jonathan Scordino, son of Joseph Scordino, former Deputy Northwest Regional Director for Fisheries Service in Seattle. The elder Scordino retired in January of this year.
• The consulting firm Fisheries Service hired to produce the environmental assessment - Parametrix Inc. of Auburn - has a work history with the Makah that includes managing a contract to pave the road from Neah Bay to Cape Flattery on the tribal reservation.
• A Fisheries Service investigator of the Sept. 8 whale hunt, John Haupt, is a Makah tribal member whose mother has served for many years as secretary to the tribal council. Haupt also is related to one of the five defendants. Haupt, who has confirmed he is a Makah member.
Jonathan Scordino worked for Fisheries Service as a consultant on a killer whale study from March 2007 to July, when he joined the tribe as its marine mammal biologist.
This should be an unbiased look at this issue, and you can't do it when the tribe's paying their consultants."

Okay now you can say I'm a liar... I can't bow out of this one. A defense fund for murderes & poachers! Hey while we're at it why don't we set up a fund for all the needy child molesters & rapists in our state? I'm sure we could find room for all the drug dealers & murderes, too.

Saysram... In any of your dealings with the makah have you EVER known them to be honest or forthright in anything? Of course they're playing dirty, of course there's conflicts of interest, that is the way they do things, those folks are nothing but money grubbers, so Parametrix Inc, John Haupt, Jonathan Scordino, Trident are all standing in line with thier greedy little hands out & who here believes that anyone in the lower parts of the tribe are going to see a dime of any of it?

Saysram, I would never call you a liar. You have a fire in your belly to save the greys and in most cases I would say thats commendable.But when you go so far as to refer to the Makah in all those negative terms, I can't maintain silence. Yup I'm a white boy. I also have had some interaction with the Makah. In all cases they have been civil and more than kind. To vilify the Makahs in this manor is wrong! As I would tell my autistic step child, "Please think before you stink." He smiles when I say that. He's a fine fellow and I believe you are too.

Oh my god I posted to the wrong guy! My apologies Saysram.

Dale, I was calling myself a liar, I said I was going to bow out of this because of my affiliation with the Johnson's... after some searching I figured out who you are. First off I'm a girl, not a guy & second off you're about as much a "white boy" as I am an eagle. This is supposed to be a forum for grown up interactions, to be able to express your opinions, & be honest & forthright. I have 8 groups with about 80 to 100 people in each of them, I have posted all the info for the NOAA, all the articles about this murder, & any other relavant info. As I said I am not very savvy or world-wise but I do know how to shake an apple from the tree & yes that was intended to have a dual meaning.

The Whale hunters in small boats had their catch stolen from them by our government because of greed for contributions flowing to a few important officials.
Law gone bad Russian style
The Jury, fair minded, devoid of prejudice, given the whole story, instructed as should be required by law on nullification would tell the court to present a heartfelt apology to all Makah. Then let the whale hunters go home to a rightful hero's homecoming.
Law gone good American style.
Brandia is a pretty name.

So Brandia, who do you think this dale is? I am really curious. I know he said he was a "white boy" and you say he is not, how would you know from just his first name? I haven't posted because you all are very opinionated about this but I enjoy reading what you all have to say on the subject. I just couldn't let this pass by with out a post though 'cuz I wanna know. Please let us all know.

I am a mother of two Makah children. I have tried to teach them their ways and to let them know their native cultural. I feel that it is important that the native culture is pasts on to the children of the tribe. This how america was made from all the different cultures put together. I do feel they need to do the whale hust in the traditional way, but way are we not honoring the contrct we made? Do we think we are so above everyone that we don't have to honor our word?

Tammy/Dale "speaks" native, yes I know it's English but it's different... there is also a little birdie who whispers in my ear. Far as I know Dale is also my family-in-law so I'm not going to call him out in public. I might have to sit next to him at the next burning & I don't want an ember to drop down my pants LOL!

Dale... I see you finally commented on my name, Thank You. Just you keep fighting & I'll keep fighting because we'll all be walking down the same road in the end. I think sometimes you're having more fun taking pokes at me than you are about arguing. I know I get lit up easy but it's about my brothers & sisters the whales, because you know they weren't heroes they were criminals & killers. We'll probably be walking down the red road together still arguing about it but I'm a girl, you're a guy... I'm gonna win

BTW... I am also autistic, aspergers syndrome or high functioning autism, whatever they call it this week. It runs in certain parts of the family

Wether what the whalers did is considered elligal of not there are deeper issues here. First whether a document signed by a representative of the US is a day old or 200 years old it is a binding document unless both side of the document agree to amend or abolish it. If the US Government were to go back on their word thenthey would be no better than the governments around the world that take away the rights of their own people. It is the responsablilty of the US governemnt to uphold its promises. The native Americans in our country are soveirn nations that have rights that they deserve and should never be taken from them. even 100 years later. The debts incurred by the government can never be repaid and should never be forgotten. I am not talking about whaling. I am talking about the constitution of the US and all other US documents that have to be honored. If they are not then we stop being the great people we are.

Now for those who quote Watson as this great guy stopping whaling. he is a liar that is supported by Neo-nazi Anti- Native american poloticians who just support him to get their name in the paper. theySay to protect the whales yet go killing other animals. why is it up to them what animals should and shouldnt be hunted by whom. this is the culture of many Native Americans. not just the Makah and wether they do it traditionally or not it is no right of ours to tell them no. I have read many of Watsons so called informative comments. mist of all have been proven to be lies or bent truth to suit is own needs. So in the future we careful who you quote and know what he says and who supports him.

I am not Native American, Well my Blackfoot side is so small it isnt really recognized by anyone. I just want it known that i Support the constitution not any one tribe or another. the law is the law and unless it is change through legal means then it remains the law. The US will continue to Support any Native American tribe in its endevers to retain their traditions and cultures. Just as it has supported the Makah nation for so long.

Life and Liberty