The individual and group
skills, attributes, and unity necessary to become proficient at preserving
and utilizing any First Nation's traditional methods of providing necessities
for their People is of incalcuable value. Beyond the skills
and techniques of the "hunt";
the shared preparations, creation of tools, concentration and discipline
necessary to the endeavor are an important part of the social and communal
development that will facilitate art, music, dance and culture in support
of the physical acts of survival. The entire "ritual" of the hunt is much
larger than a misperceived unnecessary killing of another species.
The special relationship and bond achieved between the Whale, Water, and
Human, and the lessons derived from the recognition and understanding of
sacrifice, death and purpose in this world of blood and beating hearts
are not to be found in modern social and cultural institutions. These
traditional forms emphasize relationship, balance and a blending of life
and death into the complex and richly entertwined reality the natural world
encompasses. It is an old way, but not an outdated or valueless way.
It is still true to the Peoples who were given it by the Creator. It ties
the physical and spiritual world together again, where Christianity has
sometimes failed. It preserves an essence of the greatness of Nations
who understood clearly the role of human beings in the natural world; of
the inter-reliant relationships we share with all our relatives on this
Grandmother Earth. It is these acts of taking life for our survival,
that teach us the precious
sacrifices all mortal beings
ultimately make toward the preservation of our world. We learn the
obligation to be grateful for that which sustains us, and for our Earth
and Creator, who blessed us with these Ways.