Makah Nation hires former Slade Gorton aide

Wednesday, September 12, 2007  

A former aide to ex-Sen. Slade Gorton (R-Washington) is helping the Makah Nation deal with the fallout from an illegal whale hunt.

Tim Lovain is vice president of Denny Miller & Associates Inc., a Washington, D.C., law and lobbying firm. He has been representing the tribe for several years, according to Senate records [Link].

While he was in the U.S. Senate, Gorton criticized the tribe's whale hunt. Despite a treaty guaranteeing the tribe's rights, he said the tribe should live by the "same laws" as other Americans.

The tribe is in DC this week to meet with Sen. Patty Murray (D), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D), who defeated Gorton, Rep. Norm Dicks (D), other members of Congress and federal officials. Tribal leaders have condemned the illegal hunt and say they will punish the five tribal members who killed the whale.

Get the Story:
Makah take their whaling case to nation's capital; meetings set today with senators (The Peninsula Daily News 9/12)
Whale killing: Makah to reassure senators (Hearst Newspapers 9/12)
Debate Grows Over Tribal Whale Hunts (KIRO 9/11)

Relevant Documents:
Tribal Council Statement | Makah Tribal Whale Hunt | Marine Mammal Protection Act

Court Decisions:
Anderson v. Evans (June 7, 2004) | Anderson v. Evans (December 20, 2002)

Relevant Links:
Makah Nation - http://www.makah.com

Related Stories:
Unauthorized hunt likely to delay action on permit (9/11)
Editorial: Makah Nation reacts swiftly to rogue hunt (9/11)
Editorial: Illegal whale hunters must be punished (9/11)
Makah Nation blasts unauthorized whale hunt (9/10)
Makah Nation to discuss rogue hunt on Capitol Hill (9/10)
Russian Natives, Makah Nation share culture, whales (10/25)
Appeals court shoots down Makah whaling case (06/08)
Makah Nation marks fifth year since first whale hunt (05/17)
Tribes and U.S. seek review of whale hunt ruling (03/14)
Opinion: Makah Nation whale hunt is not legal (02/12)
Makah whale hunt faces another review (12/23)
Federal judge shoots down treaty challenge (08/09)
U.S. pushes for whaling rights (6/10)
Whale hunt a go for Makah Nation (7/16)
Makah whale hunt faces threat (3/30)
Friends, foes turn out for Makah hearing (2/2)
Makah whale hunt up for review (01/16)
Court rules on Makah whaling (6/12)
Makah ruling overturned (6/9)
Metcalf's Indian history (6/9)
Metcalf pleased with ruling (6/9)