Place Attachment of the A’atsika Tribe in People of the Whale

Abstract

This paper examines the A’atsika tribe's ecological and spiritual connection to the ocean as depicted in Linda Hogan's People of the Whale. Focusing on the tribe's mythopoetic narratives, rituals, and ceremonies, the research explores how these practices frame the ocean as both a living, sacred entity and a crucial partner in the tribe's survival. The study uses ecological place theory and indigenous epistemologies to analyze the tribe's holistic understanding of place. Key findings suggest that the A’atsika view their relationship with the ocean as one of mutual respect and reciprocity, where human actions are guided by spiritual and ethical obligations rather than exploitation. Rituals such as singing to the whales and offering gifts to the octopus underscore the deep interdependence between the A’atsika and the natural world, highlighting a worldview where the ocean is not a resource to be extracted but a partner in an ongoing dialogue. The paper argues that the A’atsika’s “sense of place” goes beyond physical location, integrating spiritual, ethical, and ecological dimensions that foster a sustainable relationship with the environment. The A’atsika’s approach challenges colonial-capitalist models of extraction, offering a radical alternative grounded in respect, balance, and the recognition of non-human agency. In the context of contemporary environmental crises, the A’atsika’s practices provide valuable insights into decolonial ecological thinking and the urgent need for a redefined human-nature relationship.