NWIN #12 – November 2005

NWIN Program 12 Summary:
Lummi Tribal member Chenoa Egawa hosts the program from the Makah Reservation, Neah Bay, Washington. In the program open, Makah storyteller, Maria Pascua, is telling a traditional Makah Whale story to Tribal Head Start students and Cape Flattery School District students inside the Makah Museum. Ben Johnson, Jr., Chairman, Makah Tribe, discusses the Cultural importance of Whaling to the Makah Tribe.

“Makah Whaling”
Niki Cleary,  reporter, Tulalip
In Makah Culture, the whale is sacred. For at least 15 centuries, the whale has sustained the Tribe, providing food and inspiring a way of life, that to a major degree, honors the spirit of the whale at the center of  Makah culture. The Tribe is in the process of seeking a waiver to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 which has halted Makah Whaling since 1999. Four public hearings were held this fall.

“Lewis and Clark Commemoration”
Ronnie Washines, reporter, Yakama; Mark Anderson, producer, Cowlitz
In the fall of 1805, the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery reached the mouth of the Columbia River and the home of the Chinook and Clatsop Tribes. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the meeting, a re-enactment was held near the ancestral village of Cathlapotle on the Columbia River. Other events, such as the ‘Parade of Nations’ were also held in Portland, Oregon to commemorate the bicentennial.

“Native Education”
Deborah Parker, reporter Tulalip
Washington State Representative and Tulalip Tribal member, John McCoy sponsored Washington State House Bill 1495 entitled; “Encouraging Tribal history to be included in the common school curriculum.” The bill was signed into law April 28th, 2005 by Governor Christine Gregoire and is now in effect at the beginning of the 2005/06 school year. NWIN takes a look at the importance of relevant curriculum to the success of Native Students NWIN travels to Taholah and Port Angeles School Districts to discuss relevant curriculum with students and teachers there.

“Around Indian Country”
Sherry Guydelkon, reporter, Tulalip
NWIN reports on the National Network of Grantmakers 25th Anniversary Conference at Semiamoo Resort, The  March To The Peace Arch event hosted by the American Indian Movement and the 10th Anniversary of the Evergreen State College Longhouse near Olympia, Washington.

Program Close:
NWIN takes a look at Makah Tourism. Makah Storyteller, Maria Pascua, continues telling the traditional Makah Whale story.