WHALING: Passamaquoddy Tribe on Porpoise Hunting Today

Members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe live in Maine and New Brunswick at the entrance to the Bay of Fundy. They have always depended for their sustenance on marine animals and plants, including porpoise and whales. The following is their current stand on these activities. (Originally published 2008, Updated December 2018.)

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Indian porpoise hunters of Passamaquoddy Bay Canoe, rifle,
and lance for capture of porpoise.
From a photograph by T. W. Smillie Credit: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point
(link to original)

TRIBAL COUNCIL RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION NO: 8/5/97 #4

WHEREAS, the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Tribal Council is the recognized governing body of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point Reservation; and

WHEREAS, the Passamaquoddy people have always found food for sustenance in the sea; and

WHEREAS, the Passamaquoddy people have a strong connection to Mother Earth and are determined to never break that connection; and

WHEREAS, the Passamaquoddy people always have had and always will continue to have a strong cultural and historic identity with Marine Resources; and

WHEREAS, our purpose , granted to us as Native People by the Creator, is to never abuse Mother Earth; and

WHEREAS, our Native Fisherman have historically, presently and in the future will always gather porpoise and other marine resources; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tribal Council at Sipayik by this Resolution hereby request that our Native Fisherman come forward with whatever Marine Resources at their disposal, and supply these resources to any people or entities as the aforementioned Native Fisherman see fit; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the taking of Marine Mammals such as whales, seals, and porpoise be only for exchange within the Native American Community.

 

Passamaquoddy Bay Indians lancing and securing a porpoise

From a photograph by T. W. Smillie. Credit: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

More information about the Passamaquoddy Tribe

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