I don't think they were trying to argue that the didn't know/weren't informed of, the regulation. I think they were trying to say that their people didn't have enough notice to provide comment/input when the regulation was made.

The Alaska Dispatch has MUCH better coverage of this, and it's from a number of different sides, viewpoints, etc.

Part of the 'bone of contention' here is the definition of 'useable meat', and what might be considered diseased or unusable, or even a threat of contamination for everyone if brought into the village.

I don't know that much about Pt Hope's culture, but it's possible that the issue is dietary rules based on observed illness/risks in times past, similiar to the Jewish and Muslem prohibition against pork.

Also it is possible that there is [not baseless] fear of meat animals that may have been contaminated with radio-active materials, more a possiblity with caribou [lichen eaters] than other game animals.

If you're interested, and not just 'bashing', I do recommend the Alaska Dispatch. They have a 3 part series by their reporter, as well as several articles by others from various perspectives, and more detailed information about the court cases.

typical native defense. so sad our state is being split in half.

Kind of sounds like a confession.

It is very difficult to imagine how a person who hunts and lives off our lands would need to be told that wasting food was a bad thing.

These men shame all of us.

The regulation was posted and adopted in 1991. The crime occured in summer of 2008. These individuals knew exactly what they were doing.

I don't view their actions as a crime against the state but as a violation of a way of life. My fathers taught me to never waste anything given by nature. In taking the animal's life you showed respect at all times by using everything possible in gratitude for the animal's sacrifice.

What these boys did is an inexcusable wrong. Their names should never be mentioned again, let them be as dead to us.