The case of Makah whaling resurgence is now one of animal rights extremists versus a Native American people, of conservation in all cases versus guaranteed treaty rights, and harmful stereotypes of Native peoples versus Native voices. Unlike many other Native issues, the Makah decision to whale in 1999 made international news, inciting extreme antagonism and support. The current struggle to whale again has not made as many headlines, but their fight is just as important as it was in the 1990s.
The children that witnessed the 1999 hunt are now parents, tribal council members, and community leaders. An entire generation of Makah members did not experience the 1999 hunt. The Makah Tribe hopes that the hearings will end soon in favor of the NMFS proposal and the MMPA waiver and that animal rights extremists stop interfering in the Makah Tribe’s efforts to exercise their treaty right and assert their identity.
