Native Hunters Want to Profit From Slaughtering Polar Bears? Tough

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ultram drug of ND 6:24PM July 02, 2009

Ms. Erbe is obviously shooting from the hip in her diatribe against Native people guiding hunts. As was pointed out earlier, the people of the Far North are not organized into the political entities called 'tribes' as are the Native peoples of the contiguous U.S.; rather, they are organized into villages and several Alaska Native corporations.

Next is the undeniable fact that we Native peoples know our local ecosystems intimately, and not taking more of any part of that ecosystem is something that is ingrained into us from birth.

The Inuit hunting guides do not allow hunters to take more polar bears than what local conditions will bear, nor will the meat go to waste. Not to mention, we're usually the ones who try to alert non-Indian scientists when something is afoot in our local areas. I can not begin to tell you how many times we Salinans tried to warn folks in California's Central Coast that they really didn't want to build their homes on a) the local earthquake fault b) right on top of an unstable oceanside cliff or c) directly over a dried-up spring. And yes, we continued and still continue to warn of the disastrous consequences of not removing dry brush and other plant materials by regular prescribed burns. The recent fires along the coast pay mute homage to the fact that we know far better than some white lady in New York about what is happening in our homelands.

And this is why U.S. News & World Report needs at least one Native American journalist who can weigh in these ill-advised op-eds hopefully before they go to print and embarrass the publication.

I could go on and on

Deb Krol of AZ 5:22PM May 13, 2009

Inuit have always had a respect for the animals that kept them alive for centuries. When the Government of Canada imposed a ban on the hunting of Musk oxen they complied. When it was Canada geese they complied, various whales they complied, swans - they complied, grizzly bears - complied, quotas on polar bears - complied; should I continue? These animals were their livelihood. Most of these animals are now a pest in communities that the governments created. (Inuit were forced to come off the land and move into communities)

When a government tries any of these restrictions on any industry they find a way to continue their pursuit. These are the same corporations that are causing the global warming due to their greed for the "untapped resources" in the north.

People around the world are now suddenly interested in that which they ignored for decades. Impositions are made on which they do not understand, such as, the EU ban on seal products. They have a slight understanding of the Inuit situation from decades of northerners educating them. The livelihood of Inuit harvesters was ruined by a model in the '70s and '80s, who could never understand the hardships the Inuit have suffered by her actions. (That of trapping fur bearing animals.) I'm sure she is now retired to a resort where she is served hand and foot while the children of those whose lives she ruined continue to suffer from malnutrition, lack of proper clothing, a livelihood and all that comes with poverty.

I would suggest you look at the whole rather than a part before making public your opinions.

Silas 11:51AM May 13, 2009

Bonnie needs to do her homework before she write a story like this that gives wrong information to others. Inuit people does not want polar bears to be instinct. Inuit live and love for the arctic animals. They don't go on killing any living animal. They are not savages. They want the animals to be healthy and grow but the pollution from the cities and other countries is killing the animals and changing the climate. This is devestating! While you people talk trash about Inuit and saying you are trying to protect polar bears from them, it is pure ignorance. Outside the Arctic everyone seem to have an oppinion. What if we turn the table here and say we will take away your way of life and say well we needed to put you in your place and tell you that you were hurting your animals for profit. Educate yourself before you make a judgment that affects many people and the animals. Jose Kusugak is a very respected Inuk who care more then anyone about the Arctic and the animals. Shame on you Bonnie!

Northlover 10:11AM May 13, 2009