A Polar Whale's Appeal

http://songlinesofthewhales.org

In 1850, the final years of 'Yankee whaling', the Captain of a whaling vessel wrote an article entitled 'A Polar Whale's Appeal'. This article, which is a first person narrative spoken by a Bowhead Whale, is a plea on behalf of the 'Whale Nation' to put an end to the killing of his species. It was published in 'The Honolulu Friend' on October 15, 1850. We came across this article in the archives of the New Bedford whaling museum, Massachusetts while conducting research for the establishment of The Oceania Project in 1986.

We kindly thank Mr. R. Carlos Nakai for allowing us to add his Native American Cedar Flute to this film: http://rcarlosnakai.com

'Mitakuye Oyasin' - Lakota for 'We are all related'.
~A prayer of oneness and harmony with all forms of life: humans, animals, birds, insects, trees, plants and even rocks.

"The earth and myself are of one mind"
~ Chief Joseph - Hinmaton-yalatkit
~ 'Thunder coming from the Ocean up over the Land'

A Polar Whale's Appeal
October 15, 1850
Anadir Sea, North Pacific

The second Year of Trouble.

Mr. Editor, - In behalf of my species, allow an inhabitant of this sea, to make an appeal through your columns to the friends of the whale in general.

A few of the knowing old inhabitants of this sea have recently held a meeting to consult respecting our safety, and in some way or other, if possible, to avert the doom that seems to await all of the whale Genus throughout the world, including the Sperm, Right and Polar whales.

Although our situation and that of our neighbors in the Arctic, is remote from our enemy's country, yet we have been knowing to the progress of affairs in the Japan and Ochotsk seas, the Atlantic and Indian oceans, and all the other "whaling grounds."

We have imagined that we were safe in these cold regions; but no; within these last two years a furious attack has been made upon us, an attack more deadly and bloody, than any of our race ever experienced in any part of the world.

I scorn to speak of the cruelty that has been practised by our blood-thirsty enemies, armed with harpoon and lance; no age or sex has been spared. Multitudes of our species (the Polar), have been murdered in "cold" blood.

Our enemies have wondered at our mild and inoffensive conduct; we have heard them cry, "there she blows," and our hearts have quailed as we saw their glittering steel reflecting the sun beams, and realized that in a few moments our life-blood oozing out, would discolor the briny deep in which we have gambolled for scores of years.

We have never been trained to contend with a race of warriors, who sail in large three-masted vessels, on the sterns of which we have read "New Bedford," "Sag Harbor," "New London." Our battles have hitherto been with simple Indians in their skin canoes. We have heard of the desperate encounters between these whale-killing monsters and our brethren the Right whales on the North-west coast.

Some from that quarter have taken shelter in the quiet bays of our sea, others of the spermaceti species from Japan, have also visited us and reported their battles and disasters; they have told us it is no use to contend with the Nortons, the Tabers, the Coffins, the Coxs, the Smiths, the Halseys, and the other families of whale-killers.

We polar whales are a quiet inoffensive race, desirous of life and peace, but, alas, we fear our doom is sealed; we have heard the threat that in one season more we shall all be "cut up," and "tried out." Is there no redress?

I write in behalf of my butchered and dying species. I appeal to the friends of the whole race of whales. Must we all be murdered in cold blood? Must our race become extinct? Will no friends and allies arise and revenge our wrongs? Will our foes be allowed to prey upon us yet another year?

We have heard of the power of the "Press;" pray give these few lines a place in your columns, and let them go forth to the world. I am known among our enemies as the "Bowhead," but I belong to the Old Greenland family.

Yours till death,

POLAR WHALE

To celebrate the annual return of the Humpback Whales, sixty Australian communities are participating in the Humpback Icon Project. Each of these communities has adopted a known individual Humpback Whale from The Oceania Project's Fluke Catalogue:

http://bit.ly/AdoptWhale

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Category:

Education

Tags:

• humpback
• whale
• dolphin
• cetacea
• research
• oceania
• iwhales
• migaloo

[Samjapa]

Powerful and gentle creatures.

I hope one day the all people of the world. Stop to hunt the whales!

[stimpyfudge]

A beautiful video and a very moving narration, the flute adds a special touch to your videos....Keep up the good work guys, be safe and take care..

[lilisigel]

Very gracious, intelligent and majestic being, how can anyone not love her !! People please go vegan and free the Animals ! Animal Liberation !!

[MrCassidytemple]

by far my favorite animal. im glad there are other people who understand. how can something so big be so graceful?

[curiosityuniversal]

I sincerely hope humans become extinct soon. Thats the only way we will leave our fellow creatures in peace and our planet intact.

[zoubirT]

im in love with these whales. may the power of the universe protect all of these beautiful species

[MUSIC200756]

Just magnifecent, and beautifull and peace loving creatures.

there the most innocent creaturess ive ever seen i'm thanking god for this beautifull Animal i wanna see the whales my self some day and thank you for this beautifull Video it really makes me happy when i see such beautifull creature and allthough the way they talk to eachother may a mystery to us thank you so much as for the hunters i hope you all will be punished how there they kill a animal that is pure innocent and loving!!!!

[jewelindisky]

Thank you ...Oneness

[Fringe111]

Wow that was powerful. Just wonderful

[R44raven1]

Very well narrated and the original authors sentiments are chilling when we take a look at what we have done to our seas and oceans over the last few hundred years.

[Chilldogg]

impressive and inspiring!!!

[MegaPianissimo]

Hey...Agree...I was listening to this video before to fall asleep, this story ( thank to his voice) seems to be a sad "fairytale" that actually is happening till now...