===== A message from the 'makahwhaling' discussion list ===== Here are a few bits and pieces for you to review. Be sure and read the note at the end, which SEDNA just released! All of us CAN make a difference! ***** FIRST ITEM: BEN JOHNSON UNWITTINGLY GIVES THE KISS OF DEATH TO CLINTON, GORE AND THE USCG ------------------------------------------------------------ (published in the Forks Forum, Forks, WA- August 4, 1999) Makah Public Statement about our whale hunt Now that we have demonstrated to the world that we can bring a gray whale home to our people- and we can do it efficiently and humanely- it is time to give thanks. First, we want to thank our forefathers for their wisdom in preserving for us our way of life- whaling. They did this by insuring that our right to whale was protected in the Treaty of Neah Bay. Second, we want to thank the United States government for its tireless efforts on our behalf to insure that our whale hunt would be in accordance with the International Whaling Commission. To go to the length of negotiating with the Russian government to obtain an agreement to share the gray whale quota was remarkable and we thank all of those officials of the Commerce Department and Interior Department who worked on our behalf. Indeed we want to thank the highest officials of the U.S. goverment, President Clinton and Vice President Gore, for setting the direction of the government on this issue. Too often, the history of Indian treaties has been a history of broken promises. Here, the United States can proudly say, "We have kept our promise to the Makahs." We particularly want to thank the officers and men of the United Coast Guard for their actions in halting dangerous and irresponsible actions by protest boats in the waters of the Pacific. The efforts of these people to bash the Coast Guard is completely hypocritical. It was their actions which made Coast Guard protection necessary. They went far beyond the legitimate right to protest and endangered whales and indeed the lives of our whalers, and now they would blame the Coast Guard for stopping them. That is truly ridiculous. We want to thank the brave Makah men who went out in the canoe to harpoon the whale. They demonstrated to the world their outstanding physical stamina, their skill in boat handling and their tactics in conducting the hunt for a moving target on the rolling waters of the ocean. Our heart goes out to them and our hats come off in salute to them. They have brought honor and joy to the Makah Nation. We also want to thank the women of the Makah Nation who by their prayers and spirituality did everything to insure a safe and successful hunt. Finally, we want to thank throughtful Americans everywhere for their support. They have demonstrated understanding and tolerance for the ways of Indian culture. This has been a great day, not only in the history of the Makah nation, but also in the history of the American Nation. Thank you sincerely, Ben Johnson, Jr. Chairman, Makah Tribal Council (WCCA note: Ben Johnson can be contacted via e-mail at mtcops@makah.com) ***** SECOND ITEM: PRO-WHALING LACKEY PEGGY ANDERSON STRIKES BACK --------------------------- Wednesday, August 4, 1999 Makah whale hunt hasn't hurt tourism PORT ANGELES - When the Makah Indians in May killed their first whale in more than 70 years, opponents of tribal whaling predicted that the historic harpoon throw also would kill tourism on the north Olympic Peninsula. But it didn't turn out that way. If anything, tourist business seems to have perked up a bit, hotel and marina owners say. "I've noticed no drop," said Gordy Bentler, owner of the Cape Motel in Neah Bay, Clallam County, home to the Makahs. "In fact, I think we're probably up this year over last." Bentler said most visitors are curious, not furious, about the Makahs' return to whaling. Rick Hert, executive director of the North Olympic Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau, said room-tax figures from Clallam County hotels and motels appear relatively flat this summer. However, he added, "Talking about tourism as a whole and talking about revenue, we have not seen a negative impact at this point." Undeterred, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, one of the most dedicated anti-whaling activist groups, sent a release to news organizations this week saying the hunt "triggered a long, disastrous summer for local tourism-dependent towns." Specifically, the group said, the typical 200 boats at the Makah marina in Neah Bay for the salmon-fishing season have dwindled to only 75. That was news to marina manager Bob Buckingham, who said business is great. "We haven't seen any sign of that affecting us out here," he said. "Our actual marina revenue is up from last year so far. We're getting quite a bit of tourism up here." Copyright © 1999 Seattle Times Company ***** PAIR WHO DISRUPTED WHALE HUNT WANT JAIL ----------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, August 4, 1999 By REBEKAH DENN SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER Given a choice between jail and probation, Jacob Conroy and Joshua Harper are hoping for jail. The two animal-rights activists, charged with interfering with the Makah Indian tribe's first whale hunt in 70 years, are scheduled to appear in Clallam County Superior Court today. In discussions with prosecutors about a possible plea bargain, the two have taken a highly unusual route: They've said they would prefer a jail sentence if they plead guilty to reckless endangerment. Although a year's probation is a far more common punishment, Harper said he hoped prosecutors would recommend a low-end jail sentence of 10 days each for himself and Conroy if they agree to plead guilty. The maximum jail sentence is one year. Because activists are often arrested for their beliefs, Conroy and Harper prefer jail time so that they can continue their work without having to worry about violating the terms of their probation. And besides, they said, probation implies rehabilitation. "We don't feel we did anything wrong," Conroy said. Conroy and Harper were accused of tossing ignited smoke canisters at a tribal motorized support boat during the May 10 hunt and throwing a lighted flare across the boat and into the water, causing concerns they could have sparked a gas explosion. They've said they committed no violent acts. The two were among the most dedicated of the protesters who tried to block the Makah tribe's planned gray whale hunt in Neah Bay last year and earlier this year. The Makah, who were granted the right to continue hunting whales in an 1855 treaty with the U.S., had voluntarily suspended the hunts earlier this century. However, in a quest to regain its cultural heritage and pride, the tribe struck a deal in 1997 to resume a limited amount of whaling. Harper and Conroy believe they prevented the tribe from killing a whale when crew members first went hunting May 10. Tribal members successfully harpooned a whale seven days later. Although the hearing is scheduled for today, Clallam County Deputy Prosecutor Scott Charlton said any decisions on the case would likely be postponed, as Conroy and Harper want to review a Coast Guard tape of the hunt before reaching any final decisions on a plea. Regardless, supporters of the two plan a rally outside the county courthouse in Port Angeles this morning. "We're trying to get as many people to go out there as possible," said Sandy Abels, one of the organizers. "Jake and Josh are heroes to me, and they will always be heroes to me, and I don't want people to forget about them. "They put it on the line for some defenseless creatures, and there's a possibility of them going to jail." Harper said he didn't like the idea of not standing trial, even on a more serious charge. But if reaching a plea agreement would get him and Conroy back to their work and give them a chance to "protect more whales," it would be worth it, he said. ***** THIS JUST IN FROM SEDNA- TIME TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE, FOLKS! ------------------------------------------------------------ On May 10th Josh and Jake of Sea Defense Alliance were arrested after spending a good portion of the day stopping the Makah from killing multiple whales on their first day out hunting. Now, almost 2 months later, they are the only ones so far officially charged and going through the court system. As of now they are facing reckless endangerment - however, on Wed. Aug 11th, if a plea bargain is not met, they will be charged with Felony Assault 2. The plea bargain is a good one. It consists of a short jail term and mandatory WA fines. This deal will leave the two with no probationary period; allowing them to continue on fighting as soon as they are released from jail. However, in order for the deal to be finalized, the fines need to be paid up front. Otherwise the two are facing 1 - 2 years of probation which equals no action. We need your help to pay $1700 worth of fines to complete the deal. It sounds like a lot of money, however, with the amount of people on Dan's fantastic list, if everyone sent in 10 dollars, we would be more than on our way. Any money that is left over will be put into SEDNAs fall campaign to stop the hunt. We need your support. Help us defend the oceans. Donations can be sent to Sea Defense Alliance PO Box 401 Williams, OR 97544 *please earmark for josh/jake legal fund thanks! *****