Suzanne Laverty, Defenders of Wildlife, PMB 217, 3355 North Five Mile Road, Boise, ID 83713 5903, USA; Levi Holt, Wolf Education and Research Center, PO Box 217, Winchester, ID 83555, USA

Wolf restoration in the Northwestern US is predominantly a social issue. Wolves are an indigenous species in the region woven throughout cultural aspects of the wildness and domestication of the American West. Today, four years after the reintroduction of wolves to Idaho and Yellowstone, and the dispersal of wolves into Oregon and Washington, social and personal perspectives toward the return of wolves are widely diverse among the many cultures represented in the region.

The wolf and the Nez Perce people have always been connected, since time in memorial, this connection has been sacred. As an Indian people, we have grown to understand through a life long relationship with the animal world, that there is much value in providing for the Wolf and other animals. The legends of the Nez Perce tell of a time when only the animals were here with the Mother Earth, and that the animals were sent ahead of the humans, in order to provide for teaching and examples for life's many challenges.

The Coyote stories (legends) of the Nez Perce tell of the life experience among the animals and the many issues of which the animals have dealt with in previous times. The Coyote stories speak of experiences dealing with love, hated, death and other vital lessons. Like the Coyote, Wolf offers many gifts and lessons to the people. The Wolf is respected as an older relation, teacher, and a Sacred Being.

Contrast to the Native beliefs, many rural attitudes are still highly opposed to wolves and widely represented by Western politicians who perceive wolves as a "varmint" and threat to their culture. However, based on polls conducted throughout the region, the wolf maintains consistently high public support - especially in urban areas and among younger and higher educated citizens. Understanding the different aspects of these social and cultural demographics is essential in building tolerance and acceptance of wolves. Well-designed public information and education campaigns are a critical tool in maintaining this support and building stronger foundations for collaboration in wolf restoration, protection and management. Inter-weaving the cross-cultural dynamics of Native American environmental ethics and traditional beliefs brings new dimensions to assist in broadening attitudes toward wolves and other controversial species. The conflicts, communication methods and messages from wolf educational efforts in a diverse culture will be examined through both the Native American and diverse social aspects.