Traditionally, several Native American (Indian/Eskimo) groups considered all life to have a form of spiritual power and intelligence. I have hunted with Eskimos and Indians who practiced special spiritual rites to show respect for animals who gave themselves to a hunter. They believed that although a hunter must be skillful and strong, he must also realize that he is not above the animals which make it possible for him and others to live. When hunting walrus from skin covered canoes (umiak), I have been on hand when an elder would stand and speak to the spirit of the walrus asking for favor and expressing respect. I knew Athabascan Indians who spoke to a tree before cutting it down for house logs. To these Native Americans all of nature is filled with spiritual powers and awareness.

During the time I spent with Alaska Eskimos and Indians, I hunted wildlife for subsistence purposes. My wife and I relied on caribou, seals, waterfowl, moose and other animals for a significant part of our food as well as skins used in the making of boots, mittens, parkas and caps. Fish and game also fed our sled dogs. When living with Eskimos on the northwestern coast of Alaska back in the early 1960s, I went whaling on the sea ice with Eskimo whaling crews. From native companions I learned that respect for animals and nature does not necessarily exclude the killing of wildlife.