Majority In State Poll Backs Makah Whaling

Sat., June 5, 1999

From Staff

A statewide poll found 58 percent of the 400 registered voters surveyed felt the Makah Tribe has the right to hunt gray whales. But half of those questioned also felt the Makahs should not conduct more hunts.

The poll by Elway Research was conducted between May 20 and May 23, a few days after a tribal whaling crew harpooned a whale off the Washington coast, the first whale taken by the tribe in 70 years.

The poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percent.

“Given the publicity leading up to and surrounding the hunt, it seemed the whole world was against them, but that was not the case,” Stuart Elway, president of the research firm, said of the results.

“With all the outcry from all the anti-whaling people, there’s substantial numbers of people in this state that have no problem with this at all,” said tribal lawyer John Arum.

“Obviously the tribe would like to have public support, but the whole essence of a right is it doesn’t have to be popular,” Arum said.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.