And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Revision: EDITORIAL: Makah Whale Hunt Unfortunately, some of the opposing activists are opposing the Makah hunt in a very biased and racist manner. I am currently on a Stop Makah Whale hunt list(located at: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) where I have been told, "Save a whale harpoon a Makah"..."I think Indians are beautiful people, I even have Indian decorations in my living room..how can I be prejudiced?" These paraphrased (because the list forbids actual quotes from posts) sentiments are echoed by a few. Several on this list actively support stopping death among whales at any cost. Unfortunately, there are Makah supporters who support stopping the activists at any cost. In this atmosphere everyone loses. There are many of us who support the Makah right to choose as a sovereign nation, unfortunately, the majority on this list would over ride treaty rights which they believe do not cover the Makah hunt, and therefore are calling this hunt "illegal".. However, rhetoric does not supercede fact regardless of the strength of the desire..the treaty between the Makah and the US predates the IWC, the Makah are not signatories of the IWC and have been granted whaling rights under an agreement between Russia and the US which allots them a share of the quota due Northern Pacific whalers. This deal actually reduces the number of whales taken from 140 to 126 per year. The Makah are forbidden to trade in whale meat on the market under this agreement. This hunt is legal under international laws. Another lament has been the cost to the US taxpayer for the Coast Guard presence in Neah Bay, and the institution of a $100,000 fine for encroaching upon the hunt territory. It has been pointed out that the Coast Guard is in Neah Bay to regulate the behavior of the activists...not the Makah whalers. They are necessitating the very expense which they decry. If any do trespass on the hunt area, it seems they will offset the Coast Guard expense when fined. I support the sovereign right of the Makah to choose, on the other hand I pray they choose wisely. It is an extremely difficult position to support both sovereign rights of the Makah and whale conservation in any climate of extremism . Ishgooda Tehweshon'on Editor, Native News
