From: Dan Spomer <dano@rockisland.com>
To: Makah Whaling Update List <makahwhaling@onenw.org>
Date: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 9:17 PM
Subject: Makah Whaling ALERT (May 12, 1999 PM)


>
>=====  A message from the 'makahwhaling' discussion list  =====
>
>FROM WASHINGTON CITIZEN'S COASTAL ALLIANCE
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>
>MAKAH WILL GO FOR A WHALE THURSDAY
>
>The latest news from our troops on the frontlines is that the Makah are
>going whale hunting tomorrow REGARDLESS of the weather. All indications are
>that they will go to extreme measures in order to kill a whale tomorrow.
>
>The presumed reason for the haste is that Makah Whaling Commissioner Keith
>Johnson and others will be travelling to the IWC meeting this Saturday,
>where they will no doubt have to fight off a resolution condeming the Makah
>hunt. The Makah are on a tight schedule and are determined to kill a whale
>this week.
>
>The various groups are asking for AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE to get up to
>Neah Bay. Whether by land or by sea, the time to defend the whales is now!
>Contact any of the various groups or call Chuck Owens at (360) 928-3048.
>*****
>
>
>
>PUYALLUP TRIBE SENDS CANOE IN SUPPORT OF MAKAH
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>
>The Puyallup tribe sent a canoe and delegation as a "show of
>support" for the Makah whaling crew. The Puyallup tribe will not be allowed
>to participate in the hunt, and will only be able to "paddle around."
>
>The Puyallup delegation was welcomed into Clallam County by the Peninsula
>Citizen's for the Protection of Whales (PCPW). PCPW leader Chuck Owens
>noticed the canoe on a trailer heading west as he returned from Sekiu
today.
>He observed the canoe was dragging a line on the road, so he stopped,
turned
>around and shouted to the Puyallup driver that he was dragging a line. The
>driver waved and pulled to the side of the road.
>
>Chuck and his family passed the stopped vehicle and immediately took up
>positions in front of the Puyallup delegation, displaying anti-whaling
signs
>and exchanging "pleasantries." As this was happening, several other
Puyallup
>vehicles caught up with the canoe and stopped. They, too, were given a
warm,
>loud welcome by the PCPW.
>
>The now-alarmed Puyallup delegation quickly retrieved their line and
hurried
>to leave. As the truck passed, Chuck presented them with a protest sign
>stating "RELIGIOUS SACRIFICE OF WHALES IS WRONG" by leaving it in the
>back of their truck. As the canoe went by, he accessorized the vessel with
>another sign stating "CANOE OF FOOLS." The WCCA fervently hopes they made
it
>all the way to Neah Bay with that sign announcing their arrival.
>
>Welcome to Clallam County, "Whaling Capital USA!"
>*****
>
>
>
>FROM PROJECT SEAWOLF
>------------------------------------------
>
>Michael Kundu informs us that the Project SeaWolf web-site has been
>victimized. They are working to restore it, but their web-site won't be
>operational for the next few days. If anyone has any messages to relay,
feel
>free to send them to dano@rockisland.com , and I will make sure he gets
>them.
>*****
>
>
>
>LAST ITEM
>----------------
>
>>From CHEK-TV (Canada)
>Interview with Donny Swan, Makah whaler-
>
>CHEK: "Can you describe your feelings when you were up that close at the
>moment the harpoon was thrown?"
>Swan: "The blood was flowing, man. It was the real thing. It was cool!"
>
>CHEK: "One wonders what his ancestors would have thought about using a
>high-powered spotter boat to tow the canoe and whalers into position..."
>*****