I read an account of the whale hunt in today's morning paper. I don't know how accurate the account was, but it sounded like the hunt was a cultural experience, as opposed to hunting for food or to make oil (or whatever whales have been used for.) The article said that the Inuits each ate some of the meat, and then fed the rest to their dogs. That makes the hunt seem like sport. It also said that they had stopped hunting over fifty years ago, not because they were prevented from it, but rather because there was no longer any need to do it, and the market for whale products had dried up. Assuming this account is true, it would be difficult for me to support the hunt. While I do support the right to self-determination, and appreciate the importance of cultural integrity, I don't think I accept the argument that whale hunts are to the lives of the people of Baffin Island. The fact that they voluntarily gave up hunting seems to suggest otherwise. If someone on the list knows that the hunts are indeed necessarily, and the whale carcass was actually used, I'd appreciate hearing that. Frances On Tue, 28 Jul 1998, Rosser Jr, John Barkley wrote: > Am wondering what folks think about the recent Inuit > bowhead whale hunt up by Baffin Island. I find myself > having very mixed feelings, sympathetic with the > sovereignty and cultural claims of the Inuit, but also > concerned that this is the opening wedge in ending > restrictions on whaling worldwide. > In northern Wisconsin opposition to tribal fishing > rights has clearly been very racist. But then the fishing > of muskies and other fish by the Chippewa/Ojibwe and > Potawotami has not been of any endangered species. It is > white-owned commercial tourist interests who are affected. > Barkley Rosser > > -- > Rosser Jr, John Barkley > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >
