The Makah Tribe of Washington's Olympic Peninsula has received permission to resume ceremonial whale hunting. This momentous event was made possible after decades of legal battles and bureaucratic delays. Mail.ru reports this.
The permit, granted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is based on an 1855 treaty that guarantees the Makah Tribe the right to limited whaling for ceremonial purposes. This makes them the only Native American tribe with a federal permit to hunt whales.
For the next 10 years, the tribe will be permitted to hunt two to three whales per year. The hunt will be strictly monitored by NOAA to ensure it does not harm the endangered gray whale population.
For the Makah people, whaling is more than just hunting, but an important part of their cultural identity. Archaeological finds indicate that whale hunting has been practiced for over 1000 years, and it plays a central role in their spiritual practices and folklore.
NOAA's decision is sure to be controversial. Animal rights activists have already announced their intention to challenge the permit in court. However, the Makah tribe is determined to continue its struggle for the right to practice its traditions.
