Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Dean, Erin
Keywords
Makah Indian Tribe, Indigenous Heritage, Grey Whales, Whaling, The Makah Cultural and Research Center
Area of Concentration
Environmental Studies
Abstract
The Makah, an American Indian tribe who live on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, are trying to revive their treaty-protected traditional whaling practice which was, in past years, halted due to endangered populations. Now that the gray whale stock has recovered, the Makah are embroiled in a controversy over Treaty Rights, environmental protection, and heritage. Through the Makah Cultural and Research Center (MCRC) exhibit, public speaking, interpretation, and media coverage, different Makah people represent their culture in order to forward self-determination and human rights goals. This thesis is the result of fieldwork observation at the MCRC. I analyze how representing themselves using these various methods allows the Makah to bolster the sense of community and heritage on the reservation, all while “taking back” the discourse about their culture and humanizing themselves to non-Natives.
Recommended Citation
Gilbert, Hannah, "QʷIDIČČAʔA·TX̌ / MAKAH: CULTURAL SELF-REPRESENTATION AND THE STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY" (2015). Theses & ETDs. 5030.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5030