"The great father knows what whalers you are - how you go far to sea to take a whale. Far from wanting to stop you, he will help you - sending implements and barrels to try the oil."
-Governor Isaac Stevens, 1855
In 1855, The Makah entered into a treaty with the United States wherein they ceded title to thousands of acres of land in exchange for the federal government's protection of their ancient whaling traditions. The Treaty of Neah Bay is the only treaty with such a clause written into it.
On May 17, 1999 the Makah conducted the first successful whale hunt in more than 70 years. The Makah were forced to cease whaling practices in the 1920s due to the scarcity of gray whales caused by the commercial whaling industry.
The resumption of whaling had a profound effect on life in this small reservation. Suddenly Neah Bay was the focus of attention from around the world. Reporters from all over the Northwest were sent to Neah Bay to cover this historic event, and the controversy surrounding it.
Environmentalists sharply opposed the hunt and were there in force. The border of the reservation was constantly guarded and clashes between protestors and the Makah were common in the weeks leading up to the hunt. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's vessels were a fixture in the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca for weeks.
Despite all the opposition, the whaling crew continued to practice the skills they needed to ensure their safety and a successful hunt. None had ever hunted quarry so large and they all knew the world was watching.
There were, however, certain regulations set forth by the International Whaling Commission which deviated from the traditional methods of Makah whalers in the past. Whereas the traditional hunt involves using only harpoon strikes and a final strike with a special "killing Lance", the new method required a quicker and thus, more humane kill. Working with veterinarian, Dr, Allen Ingling, from the University of Maryland, the Makah used both a harpooner and a rifleman. The rifleman would wield a specially designed .50 caliber rifle which, soon after the harpoon hits its mark, would deliver both the fatal blow and what was to become the "shot heard 'round the world."
On the Morning of May 17, 1999, Makah whalers accomplished what they had prepared and trained months for. That morning, as the news of the successful hunt spread, the village of Neah Bay assembled on the beach to welcome the whale to the community as their ancestors did more than 70 years ago.
Canoes from many surrounding villages came to assist the Makah in delivering the quarry to the people. As the whale was towed to shore, the people ran into the water to have a closer look. With eyes wide, they touched the smooth skin and examined it's mottled pattern. Children looked on in amazement at the size of the creature.
The whale was then prayed over, as were the whalers. Prayers were offered to thank the whale for giving its life to sustain that of the Makah and to free its spirit for passage to the other side.
After proper respect was paid, the whalers began carving and distributing the meat and blubber to the people to taste for the first time what had been a staple for their ancestors for thousands of years. The whale was butchered through the night and meat and blubber was either frozen, smoked or stewed.
Later that week, Neah Bay was host to the largest celebration in in its history. American Indians from all over the U.S. and Canada and indigenous people from all over the world came to celebrate the Makah's return to whaling. The Neah Bay High School Gym was filled to capacity with people from all over the world who came to sample the catch and news media from all over the country covered this historic event.
Since then, the Makah have been involved in several court battles to retain their whaling rights which continue to be a link to the past and a source of pride for Makah both young and old.
Photo provided by the Makah Cultural and Research Center
and the Washington State Historical Society and are subject to copyright protection.
