From: Dan Spomer <dano@rockisland.com>
To: Makah Whaling Update List <makahwhaling@onenw.org>
Date: Thursday, May 13, 1999 9:45 AM
Subject: Makah Whaling Update (May 13, 1999)


>
>=====  A message from the 'makahwhaling' discussion list  =====
>
>AHDUNKO GONE!
>---------------------------
>
>>From KIRO-TV
>
>(PORT ANGELES, Wash.) — The Makah Tribe's police chief says he is resigning
>after the federal government warned it might withhold law-enforcement money
>because he is a felon.
>
>The Interior Department has told the tribe that keeping Police Chief Lionel
>Ahdunko on the job would violate the tribe's agreement for funding.
>
>"We believe it's best not to have a convicted felon for a police chief,"
>said Bill Sinclair, director of the Interior Department's Office of Self
>Governance. "I think it definitely sends the wrong signal."
>
>After learning of the federal move, Ahdunko told the Seattle
>Post-Intelligencer Wednesday night: "I can't allow that. Tonight, I did
>officially tender my resignation."
>
>It was not clear when the resignation would take effect, the P-I reported.
>
>Earlier Wednesday, tribal member Keith Johnson, chairman of the Makah
>whaling commission, said the tribe backed Ahdunko. "He has been doing a
>fantastic job," Johnson said. At the most recent Makah community meeting,
>Johnson said, "there was overwhelming support for our (police) chief."
>
>Ahdunko pleaded guilty April 26 in Reno, Nev., to falsely reporting details
>of a traffic accident and stealing a government rifle when he worked for
the
>Washoe tribe in Nevada. He was fired in 1997 and went to work in Neah Bay.
>
>He has been a key figure in controlling protesters who are trying to stop
>the Makah in their attempt to kill a gray whale. Johnson said that in the
>current atmosphere of protest, "if there is a blemish that can be
magnified,
>it will be."
>
>Anti-whaling protesters made an issue of Ahdunko's Nevada record last fall,
>when the Makah first took to sea to hunt.
>
>Ahdunko said he would stay in Neah Bay to see the hunt through. "I may not
>be carrying my badge, but I will be there assisting my fellow community
>members," he said.
>
>The tribe governs itself but if Ahdunko is retained, the matter probably
>will be referred to the director of law enforcement services, said Tom
>Shirilla, head of Interior's regional office in Vancouver.
>*****
>
>
>
>PUYALLUP MAKE GRAND ENTRANCE
>----------------------------------------------------------
>
>Seattle-area television recorded the Puyallup delegation's arrival last
>evening in Neah Bay. It is worth noting that the PCPW sign stating "CANOE
OF
>FOOLS" was still intact and sitting in the canoe. A Puyallup gentleman even
>allowed himself to be photographed holding the sign while standing in the
>canoe!
>
>To add to the hilarity, the Puyallup delegation immediately ran for the
>nearest television camera to complain that protestors had "run them off the
>road." No such incident occurred, but it has become obvious that
pro-whaling
>forces have never had to concern themselves with facts. It appears that
part
>of the whaling "tradition" involves lying, filing false reports with law
>enforcement and making up stories.
>*****
>
>
>
>NO WHALING YET TODAY
>----------------------------------------
>
>As of 9:30 am PDT, the Makah whaling crew is still not on the water. The
>weather in Neah Bay appears to be cold, wet and windy. Updates as events
>transpire....
>*****