Micah McCarty
Hawt’wilth’iayatuk
Hawt’wilth’iayatuk, is an ancient name passed on generationally by the Wa-atch village
of Makah. This name was bequeathed to Micah during the celebration of life ceremony
for Micah’s Father, the late John A. McCarty.
Asked to run for tribal council, he was elected in 2003. He served three consecutive, three-year terms. Whaling Commission involvement led to further overseas work. Now Micah focuses on heritage art, consultancies, teaching and environmental endeavors. Engagement is with diverse communities throughout the Northwest, Indian Country and internationally.
Micah McCarty lives in Neah Bay, Washington and is a member of the Makah Nation.
Micah is an artist, drum maker, and carver. Micah was raised in a Makah speaking household, where he learned traditional songs and costume-making for performances. His artwork explores traditional tribal imagery as well as the imagery of his family. He has also been involved with reviving the ancient songs of the Makah people.
Micah has also taught traditional drum making and wood carving through apprenticeship grants, passing on techniques and knowledge to other artists.
In addition to his art, Micah is also active as an advocate for tribal rights across political boundaries. Micah has defended tribal interests through his leadership on environmental and natural resource protection, whaling rights advocacy, and government consultation.
As Chairman of the Makah Tribal Council, Micah worked to foster relationships between
indigenous communities and the broader political system. His work also led to the
strengthening of responses to coastal oil spills and further collabortative efforts.
In addition to serving as the Chairman of the Makah Tribal Council, Micah has worked as an advisor to NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee and Olympic Coast Intergovernmental Policy Council, Vice Chairman on the Governance Coordinating Committee for the National Ocean Council, co-founder of the Navy-Tribal Council, and a supporter of the Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program.
Hawt’wilth’iayatuk
Asked to run for tribal council, he was elected in 2003. He served three consecutive, three-year terms. Whaling Commission involvement led to further overseas work. Now Micah focuses on heritage art, consultancies, teaching and environmental endeavors. Engagement is with diverse communities throughout the Northwest, Indian Country and internationally.
Micah McCarty lives in Neah Bay, Washington and is a member of the Makah Nation.
Micah is an artist, drum maker, and carver. Micah was raised in a Makah speaking household, where he learned traditional songs and costume-making for performances. His artwork explores traditional tribal imagery as well as the imagery of his family. He has also been involved with reviving the ancient songs of the Makah people.
Micah has also taught traditional drum making and wood carving through apprenticeship grants, passing on techniques and knowledge to other artists.
In addition to his art, Micah is also active as an advocate for tribal rights across political boundaries. Micah has defended tribal interests through his leadership on environmental and natural resource protection, whaling rights advocacy, and government consultation.
In addition to serving as the Chairman of the Makah Tribal Council, Micah has worked as an advisor to NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee and Olympic Coast Intergovernmental Policy Council, Vice Chairman on the Governance Coordinating Committee for the National Ocean Council, co-founder of the Navy-Tribal Council, and a supporter of the Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program.
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