Are the Makah allowed to whale?
The Makah are explicitly allowed to hunt whales; the Treaty of Olympia preserves the right of some other tribes to take fish, which a court has ruled includes whales and seals. Over time, tribal leaders say, those rights and privileges have been denied.
What did the Makah tribe use whales for?
Whales were hunted for their meat and blubber, and nearly every part of the whale was designated for use. Humpback, right, sperm, gray, fin and blue whales were among the species traditionally hunted by the Makah. Oil rendered from the whale’s blubber was a valuable commodity, earning whaling families great wealth.
Did Makah tribe hunt whales?
The Makah have hunted whales in the waters off Neah Bay for thousands of years. A treaty signed with the U.S. government in 1855 gives them the legal right. The tribe voluntarily stopped hunting in 1922 when whale populations dropped, due largely to commercial overfishing.
How long have the Makah been whaling?
1,500 years
The Makah Indian Tribe’s tradition of whaling dates back at least 1,500 years.
Is Makah a Salish?
Treaty of Neah Bay The Makah language was not used during the negotiation of the treaty, and the government used the Salish name for the tribe. Makah is an incorrect pronunciation of a Salish term meaning “generous with food”.
When and why did they decide to hunt a whale again?
By 1994, gray whales in the eastern Pacific Ocean had rebounded and they were removed from the endangered species list. Seeing an opportunity to reclaim its heritage, the tribe announced plans to hunt again.
What type of whales do the Makah hunt?
The Makah Indian Tribe has requested authorization to hunt gray whales, a tradition secured by the 1855 Treaty of Neah Bay. The Makah Indian Tribe has requested authorization to hunt eastern North Pacific gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).
What is the Makah tribe known for?
The Makah Indians were primarily marine hunters. Makah men hunted seals, sea lions, and even whales from their canoes. They also caught fish and hunted deer, birds, and small game on land. Makah women gathered clams and shellfish, berries, and roots.
