Press Releases
Official newsletter of the WCW No. 11, July 2000 - World Council of Whalers Welcomed to Aotearoa (New Zealand)
In November 1999, the World Council of Whalers (WCW) received an official invitation from Te Ohu Kai Moana (the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission) to hold the 3rd General Assembly in Aotearoa (New Zealand), the traditional territory of the Maori people. The invitation was issued following two Maori whaling hui (meetings) regarding Maori customary rights to beached whales and the international ban on the exporting of whale bone art works, issues of direct concern to the Maori people.
At the outset, it was decided to hold the General Assembly in Wellington, New Zealand. Several conference sites were considered, and it was decided that the conference facilities at Te Papa (the Museum of New Zealand) were appropriate, particularly given the museum's focus on Maori culture and traditions, and the importance of its collection to our hosts, the Maori people. The venue was agreed to, and initial preparations were undertaken to host the General Assembly at this facility.
Around the same time, Greenpeace International unveiled an aggressive new campaign against Scientific Whaling in the Antarctic, and issued direct calls for a global whale sanctuary in an effort to garner public support and increased membership. New Zealand was chosen as the country from which to launch this campaign, a seeming affront to the centuries old Maori customs of whale use. In the face of a growing media interest in the WCW and the General Assembly in particular the Museum of New Zealand deemed it would no longer be an appropriate venue, and efforts to identify a more suitable venue were immediately undertaken.
It was decided that Nelson, a small coastal town and major fishing port on the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island, would be the most suitable venue for the General Assembly; Nelson is renowned for its natural beauty, and is surrounded by National Parks and wine growing regions; it is also the traditional territory of the 8 (Iwi) tribes collectively known as Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka A Maui ("the Prow of the Canoe of Maui), whose customs include utilization of stranded and beached whales. The swirl of misinformation generated by Greenpeace around the whaling issue resulted in initial resistance to the GA from Nelson's mayor, and also the Member of Parliament for the region the Honourable Dr. Nick Smith, a former Minister of Conservation. Dr. Smith went to particular extremes in his public statements that the WCW and Assembly organizers would be as unwelcome in Nelson as would be the "Ku Klux Klan or George Speight's mob".
In response to such extreme statements, the 8 Iwi were again consulted regarding whether or not to continue with plans to hold the GA in their territory. Their answer was a unanimous "yes", and they in fact passed a formal resolution that the invitation to host the GA in their territory stand, and in a strong show of support for the WCW, they requested that their name be used in conjunction with the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission as co-hosts of the GA.
The fact that Greenland Inuit and other indigenous whalers utilize whales commercially is continually disregarded, by both Greenpeace and the majority of the New Zealand media. Their media statements are of interest. Greenpeace indicated its overall opposition to commercial whaling, but made special exception to aboriginal subsistence harvest and use of whales. Greenpeace's ocean ecology campaigner, Sarah Duthie, issued a statement to the effect that although Greenpeace opposed commercial whaling, indigenous subsistence whaling should be allowed in specific circumstances. Many other environmental organizations indicated their belief in the right of free speech, and indicated that they would not protest against the GA. Forest and Bird Conservation Director Kevin Smith indicated his groups opposition to the killing of whales, but went on to state that "people are entitled to debate whatever they like". Ecological Foundation Director Guy Salmon indicated a desire to engage in rational debate, as opposed to engaging in non-constructive confrontation, and indicated his organization's belief that cultural beliefs should be respected;
Mr. Salmon further stated that he did not like "the idea that a group who wants to hold a conference should get hounded out of town". It is clear that from the perspective of many, the WCW is welcome in New Zealand. As always the WCW is keen to engage in constructive dialogue on the conservation of whales and associated environmental issues, such as contaminants.
This Assembly promises to be a rich showcase of the diversity of whaling peoples, and the richness of their cultural ways. At present, the WCW is working closely with the Maori to organize a number of cultural activities for the Assembly. A number of Maori musicians who make and play traditional Maori wind instruments made of whale bone are being contacted, and it is hoped that they will grace the assembly with the music of these ancient instruments. Their sound, is said by the Maori, to be the voice of the whales, and it is appropriate that at this assembly, they be heard by the peoples of the world who know them best. In addition, the WCW is working to set up a whalebone carving display; to this end, any traditional art that demonstrates the importance of whales and whaling to member nations and communities would be greatly appreciated.
The WCW is presently working to arrange for entry to New Zealand of these objects, and those who might have a piece to display are asked to contact the WCW Secretariat for specific details.
It is time to bring greater public attention to the diverse cultural heritage of all whaling communities; a visible demonstration and exhibition of this on the international stage will send a strong message to the world of unity in diversity, and the importance of tradition. To this end, the WCW is pleased to announce that Tsa qwa supp (Art Thompson) a world-renowned artist of the Ditidaht First Nation (Nuu-chah-nulth) of Vancouver Island, and recipient of a Canadian Aboriginal Achievement Award, has agreed to honour the General Assembly with his wealth of artistic talent, and his presence. Mr. Thompson embodies the essential connection between artistic tradition, and cultural strength, and has worked tirelessly for many years to bring the Canadian residential school issue to the forefront. The WCW secretariat is presently seeking out other world-renowned artists who have a connection to whaling, and each will be invited to attend.
The local Iwi have been working hard to ensure that this Assembly will be a memorable one. They have appointed a special planning liaison group, and have requested that there be a powhiri (traditional welcome) to their marae, known as Whakatu, and a poroporoaki (traditional farewell) to close the conference. One of their cultural performance groups has indicated their desire to perform for the assembly, and another group from the Te Tau Ihu people has also asked to perform with the aforementioned whale bone instruments. Our Maori hosts are to prepare a hangi (food cooked in earth pits, steamed with hot stones), prepared in traditional style. It has been graciously requested of the WCW membership and attending delegates that everyone in attendance bring their traditional regalia or national costume to wear during the welcoming on the marae. This is an extremely important request, both to our hosts the Maori, and to the entire assembly. The Maori are hopeful that they will also be able to formally launch a book on the history of Maori and whales during the assembly
On a final note, the WCW Secretariat is pleased that Sir Tipene O'Regan has agreed to give the assembly's keynote address; the words and presence of such a distinguished statesman honour this assembly.
It is clear that this 3rd General Assembly of the WCW is shaping up to be an event of international significance on the world stage. New Zealanders, the South Pacific peoples, and the world will hear the message that indigenous whalers and coastal whaling communities are not a threat to whale populations, but instead have a vital role to play in the sound, sustainable, respectful regional management of whales and smaller cetaceans.
It is with the greatest respect that the World Council of Whalers and its members say "thank you" to the Maori people for their gracious invitation, and their continuing strength.