| For many Native Peoples, eagle feathers are sacred and carry deep spiritual and ceremonial significance. They are used in prayer, rites of passage, healing ceremonies, and other cultural and religious practices that have existed since time immemorial. Federal laws including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act heavily regulate the possession and distribution of eagle feathers. While Native cultural and religious use is protected under federal law, Native practitioners have long faced barriers accessing eagle feathers for ceremonial purposes, including lengthy wait times, restrictive permitting systems, and federal control over the distribution process. The following article, originally published by the Association in 1994, documents advocacy efforts surrounding a presidential memorandum signed by President Clinton addressing eagle feather distribution for Native religious purposes. While this historical moment marked an important step forward, Native practitioners continue to face ongoing challenges related to religious freedom, access to eagle feathers and sacred cultural items, and the protection of Native ceremonial practices. |  |
For more information about eagle feather protections, Native religious freedom, and ongoing advocacy efforts related to eagle feather access and cultural rights, visit our Eagle Feather Protection resource page. The page includes additional historical background, legal context, and information about developments that followed the 1994 memorandum, including continued advocacy efforts to protect Native religious and cultural practices.
This article was originally published in the Fall 1994, Issue 131 of Indian Affairs. Minor edits have been made to correct certain terms.
This article was originally published in the Fall 1994, Issue 131 of Indian Affairs. Minor edits have been made to correct certain terms.
The Coalition for American Indian Religious Freedom scored a small victory when President Clinton signed a presidential memorandum titled, “Policy Concerning Distribution of Eagle Feathers for Native American Religious Purposes.” Although a presidential memo does not carry the full effect of a law, it does mandate federal agencies to take notice and comply with presidential interests.
The Association is a member of the Task Force on Eagle Feathers created by the AIRFA (American Indian Religious Freedom Act) Coalition. Other members include the Salish-Kootenai Tribe of Montana and the Medicine Wheel Coalition.
Task Force members have met with numerous Native groups, traditional practitioners and spiritual leaders regarding the process for acquiring feathers needed for special ceremonies. After hearing testimony regarding the bureaucratic problems associated with acquisition of eagle feathers, the Task Force then met with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Officials in regional offices and Washington, D.C.
As policy now stands, requests for eagle feathers for spiritual use can take years to process. Because of this, many religious ceremonies, including rights-of-passage are delayed. Deceased eagles found on roads, even on reservations, must be submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials then held before distribution. The Task Force suggests that including Native Peoples, sensitive to the religious background, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife procedure, may speed-up the process.
It is very disturbing to many Native Peoples that museums, schools and powwow dancers are often granted feathers sooner than Native spiritual leaders. However, the Association is encouraged by the President taking notice—a draft policy position was prepared by the Eagle Feather Task Force and circulated to the AIRFA Coalition for review then presented to the White House. President Clinton signed the policy memo on April 29, 1994 during a historical meeting with Native leaders at the White House.
Although eagles are on the U.S. endangered species list, before colonization, eagles were as common as other birds in the U.S. Their threat of extinction is not due to Native ceremonial use, but to commercial development of the eagle habitat. Electrocution from high voltage power lines; pesticides and other poisons; automobile hits; and natural causes are the leading factors in the decline of the eagle population.
The Association is a member of the Task Force on Eagle Feathers created by the AIRFA (American Indian Religious Freedom Act) Coalition. Other members include the Salish-Kootenai Tribe of Montana and the Medicine Wheel Coalition.
Task Force members have met with numerous Native groups, traditional practitioners and spiritual leaders regarding the process for acquiring feathers needed for special ceremonies. After hearing testimony regarding the bureaucratic problems associated with acquisition of eagle feathers, the Task Force then met with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Officials in regional offices and Washington, D.C.
As policy now stands, requests for eagle feathers for spiritual use can take years to process. Because of this, many religious ceremonies, including rights-of-passage are delayed. Deceased eagles found on roads, even on reservations, must be submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials then held before distribution. The Task Force suggests that including Native Peoples, sensitive to the religious background, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife procedure, may speed-up the process.
It is very disturbing to many Native Peoples that museums, schools and powwow dancers are often granted feathers sooner than Native spiritual leaders. However, the Association is encouraged by the President taking notice—a draft policy position was prepared by the Eagle Feather Task Force and circulated to the AIRFA Coalition for review then presented to the White House. President Clinton signed the policy memo on April 29, 1994 during a historical meeting with Native leaders at the White House.
Although eagles are on the U.S. endangered species list, before colonization, eagles were as common as other birds in the U.S. Their threat of extinction is not due to Native ceremonial use, but to commercial development of the eagle habitat. Electrocution from high voltage power lines; pesticides and other poisons; automobile hits; and natural causes are the leading factors in the decline of the eagle population.
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