Bill Smith on Indigenous Adaptability, Subsistence Practices, and Respectful Hunting

Berlin Ethnological Museum (Contributor)
Chugach Alaska Corporation (Contributor)
Chugach Heritage Foundation (Contributor)
Chugachmiut (Contributor)
William Smith (Author)
Chugachmiut Heritage Repository
Bill Smith speaks to the adaptability and intelligence of Indigenous communities, emphasizing that they consistently use the most effective technology available for hunting, fishing, and subsistence. He addresses criticisms suggesting Indigenous people should return to historical technologies like bows and arrows, countering that subsistence rights—such as those granted by Congress to individuals with at least one-quarter Indigenous ancestry—do not dictate what tools must be used. Smith explains traditional selective harvesting practices, noting that hunters prefer to target male otters, both to preserve female breeding populations and because male otters have superior fur. He describes a hunting method involving whistling to draw otters out of the water for a clean, humane headshot. Smith stresses the importance of teaching young hunters to take the animal’s life respectfully and painlessly, as every animal is understood to have a spirit.
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April 27 2023
Born Digital
2023.010.228.MP4
Hunting (General), Otter Fur
Copyright 2023 Chugachmiut Heritage Preservation