The same part that in years past have traded baleen with other native groups and the white traders who came to this land. Why is that so hard to understand? That most of the native tribes/cultures conducted trade of whatever would be available to them to others. Sometimes furs, carved totems, ivory carvings and yes, even baleen. That was due to the fact that baleen, as far as I know, is not edible and is used to make decorations, jewelry, etc.