The Mowachaat-Muchalaht First Nation in British Columbia has succeeded in postponing the capture of the now-famous orca whale known as Tsuxit or Luna. The tribe says the whale is the spirit of their late tribal chief, who wished to reside with the orcas and passed away shortly before Tsuxit showed up in Nootka Sound three years ago. Tsuxit became friendly with people, boats, and floatplanes, and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) worries he poses a safety threat, both to himself and the public. The DFO has tried to capture and transport the orca by truck to Puget Sound to be reunited with his pod, but members of the Mowachaat-Muchalaht have canoed in the way, singing and drumming and leading Tsuxit away from the net-pen. The DFO finally decided to postpone its effort indefinitely, and to better include the local First Nations in its decision-making process.
