18.15.020 Findings.
The Council hereby finds as follows:
(a) Since time immemorial prey-go-neesh (California condors, or condors) and per-geesh (eagles), as well as a variety of raptor and corvid species have been deeply important to the Yurok people, for cultural, ceremonial, religious, and other purposes fundamental to the Tribe’s way of life.
(b) Community concerns describe an imbalance in traditionally and ecologically important wildlife species in Yurok ancestral territory. A community survey found that this imbalance was due to changes in hunting practices, and habitat modification, which have affected wildlife populations within the Yurok Reservation and Yurok ancestral territory. These changes were in large part due to restrictions placed on the Yurok people that kept them from engaging in traditional land stewardship.
(c) Changes in hunting practice that are contributing to wildlife imbalance include, in part: over-harvest, imbalanced harvest, introduction of toxic lead into the environment through use of lead ammunition, and loss of traditional relationships with wildlife.
(d) Community findings indicate that regulation based on traditional ethics, along with education based on tradition, is the most effective method to restore ecological balance.
(e) Yurok traditional ecological knowledge recognizes:
(1) Yurok people have always managed Yurok ancestral territory, and are necessary to it, both as caretakers and as a part of the system;
(2) Preservation of Yurok traditional knowledge and way of life is critical to the survival of Yurok people, and traditional teachings remain vital to modern wildlife management;
(3) The system of energy which connects all things is called ‘O’-loo-lek-wee-sh’on. All parts of the system, including ourselves, are related to and affect all other parts;
(4) There are spiritual and physical consequences to disrespectful or dishonorable conduct that will impact the one acting badly;
(5) Our purpose is to balance our world, which includes mental, spiritual, and physical balance, as neither the spirit nor the physical is fulfilled without the other. Hlkey-lo-nah ue meyg-eh-tohl – We take care of the world.
(f) Traditional hunting ethics and practices of particular importance to the Tribal membership include:
(1) Recognizing that traditional ethics are a way of life, not just something you put on and take off as desired;
(2) Respecting the relationships that exist with wildlife, who were the first people of our world; praying prior to, during, and after harvest and always remembering to give thanks;
(3) Hunting with a good heart;
(4) Taking care for the spiritual needs of animals, and the spirit people;
(5) Taking action to protect the resource.
(g) The Yurok Constitution mandates that the Tribe shall “restore, enhance, and manage the Tribal fishery, Tribal water rights, Tribal forests and all other natural resources.” (Yurok Constitution, Preamble).
(h) The Yurok Constitution also mandates that we preserve and promote our culture, language, and religious beliefs and practices, and pass them on to our children, our grandchildren, and to their children and grandchildren, forever.
(i) The use of lead ammunition impacts several species of spiritual and cultural importance to the Yurok people, including but not limited to California condor, bald and golden eagles, turkey vultures, and ravens.
(j) The Yurok Tribe maintains the sovereign right to manage and regulate Tribal activities including fishing, hunting, and gathering for subsistence and cultural purposes in all areas within the Tribe’s jurisdiction. The regulation of Tribal activities is a sovereign responsibility of the Yurok Tribe. [Ord. 77 § 2002, amended, 6/23/2022; Ord. 75 § 2002, adopted, 2/24/2022.]