Makah Tribe Case Study

In the case of the Makah Tribe, I do not think it is appropriate for nonmembers of the tribe to evaluate the morality of the whale hunt. Many indigenous people from around the world hold true to the old ways in an attempt to keep their history alive. This is but one of those traditions.
When searching for information about the Makah, I found that they do have a long tradition of whale hunting. Realizing that it was up to them to protect their people, land, and fishing tradition, the Makah forefathers signed a treaty with the United States on January 31, 1855 “insuring that the importance of continuing these traditional practices were clearly understood by both the United States government and future generations of Makah.” (Peterson-Renault, n.d.)
192) The Makah tribe has the legal right to reestablish its tradition of whale hunting based on the status of the treaty. In addition, it also holds certain natural rights. As related by Locke, each person is free to act without threat or hindrance to our lives, health, liberty, and property. (Burnor, p. 193) As a society, the Makah have an obligation to ensure the safety and welfare of their people. They are using the hunt not as a sport, but as a means to feed the people within their tribe. This falls in line with the right to life and health, for without food, there can be no life or