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| Image via The Official Makah Site |
The image above is of Makah tribe members rowing a canoe modeled after a traditional model in Neah Bay. The image demonstrates the large importance of the sea in Makah culture. The artifacts linked to each article are from Ozette and show the importance of craftsmanship in the Makah culture. The woven baskets show the precision and detail in the women’s work and the mask is an example of one of the masks used for the four day wolf ritual which was a very important ceremony for the Makah people. The embellished whale fin was important to confirming and understanding how big of an influence the sea and whaling had on the Makah culture pre-contact. The fishhook was also an amazing discovery because it shows the innovation of the Makah people through their fishing techniques. The Whaling and fishing were a large part of Makah traditions due to their involvement in multiple rituals that were very important to the tribe and made them unique from many other tribes in pre-contact America. There is a recent debate about whether traditional whaling on the Makah’s land should be a lawful act, due to the uprising of animal rights activists and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. The Makah people signed the Treaty of Neah Bay in 1855, preserving their right to kill whales and seals in their usual fishing grounds, but when the Pacific gray whale was added to the endangered species list (due to the mass non-tribal, commercial whaling), the Makah people respectfully stopped their traditions. When the animal was taken off the list in 1994, the tribespeople pushed for their rights to resume whaling to restore their religious and dietary culture. Although many may believe whaling to be cruel, it is part of Makah culture and they have not abused their privileges. In 2015, an environmental study was released, allowing the Makah to hunt 24 whales over a 6 year period. The agreement is a good solution to the dramatic controversy that has unfolded over the past 20 years. Whaling is an important part of Makah culture that should not be lost, although restrictions are necessary.
Casey, James. "Makah Whale Hunting Permit Effort, a Long-Fought Controversy,
Would See Debate Resume." Peninsula Daily News (North Olympic Peninsula,
Washington, USA), March 7, 2015. Accessed September 8, 2015. http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150308/NEWS/303089928.
Maren this is very well done! I find it very interesting that the Makah tribe went so long without being encountered by Europeans. Other tribes were encountered in the 1600s, but the Makah, being so west, weren't found for a lot longer time. This is very fascinating, and I would love to know more about the traditions they have.
ReplyDeleteI think that its is frustrating that the Makah were forced to stop their traditions even though they were not the ones abusing the privilege to hunt whales. I'm glad that they were able to fight for and receive the right to hunt again to preserve their culture. Do you think that they should still have that right or do you think they should again stop their traditions.
ReplyDeleteIt was really interesting to learn about how they hunted. The tribe that I studied, the Inuits, also hunted whales. Where there any other food sources for the Makah tribe?
ReplyDeleteHi Maren, it's really interesting to learn that the Makah people made such sophisticated and intricate tools for hunting! I really like your article.
ReplyDeleteI thought the land slide that buried the six houses was really interesting because of all the artifacts in the houses were preserved. I also liked your argument and how it ties into modern day.
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