Lummi Indian Business Council 2665 Kwina Road Belungham, Washington 95226 (360) 312-2000

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LUMMI INDIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL 2665 KWINA ROAD BELUNGHAM, WASHINGTON 95226 (360) 312-2000 DEPARTMENT DIRECT NO. January 17, 2018 Andrew Hertz, President and General Manager Miami Seaquarium 4400 Rickenbacker Cswy. Key Biscayne, Florida,33 149 Dear Mr. Hertz: I am writing to follow up on our letter of September21, 2017 to you that went unanswered. We are again writing with regard to the killer whale Tokitae (“Lolita”) now at the Miami Seaquaflum. A tribal delegation is requesting a meeting with you on the morning of either February 13 or February 14 at the Miami Seaquarium. The Lummi tribe has been following this issue with great interest and believe it is time to make arrangements for Tokitae’s return to her natal waters in the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) in the traditional territory of the Lummi people. The killer whale (qu’ ‘e lii ‘ol inéchen in our language) is a close relative. We have many songs, oral histories, and ancestral teachings about qu’ ‘e ii ‘ol inéchen. The recent experience of hurricane Irma, and the likelihood of such hurricanes and erratic weather becoming the new normal for southern Florida only underscores the importance and urgency of securing her return. We are taking the lead on this issue, coordinating a task force that includes marine biologists, whale sanctuary managers, filmmakers and documentarians, local, state, and national elected officials, tribal leaders in both the United States and Canada, and the philanthropic community. We are currently in negotiations to purchase the area in the San Juan Islands that has already been identified by experts in the field as the location for her rehabilitation and her ultimate reunion with her pod. We have careflilly assessed the potential risks and are confident she can be safely returned, rehabilitated, and reunited with her pod. The Lummi governing body voted unanimously in support of a motion to secure the return of Tokitae. In addition, we have been instructed by our elders and ancestors to ensure her return to the safety of her family and are prepared to do everything necessary to bring her home. Respect ours, rt Russo, Ph.D. Lummi Nation Email: kurtr(dflummi-nsn.gov cc: Peter James Long, Director and Chairman, Parques Reunidos Senator Kevin Ranker, Washington State Senate.

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