Indian tribe allowed to kill bald eagles for religious reasons
By Tristan Ahtone, NPR
Most Americans have little difficulty practicing their religion. But for Native Americans, performing traditional religious ceremonies isn’t always so simple. Many rites often involve heavy regulation by federal authorities — especially when it comes to using sacred items like eagle feathers.
In a first for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Northern Arapaho tribe in Wyoming has received a permit to hunt and kill bald eagles for religious purposes. The move comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed last year, alleging that the refusal of such permits violated tribal members’ religious freedom.
The agency has issued similar permits for golden eagles in the past, but the Northern Arapaho permit is the first granted for the iconic bald eagle.
Crawford White, an Arapaho ceremonial elder from the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, says his tribe uses eagle-tail fans and eagle-bone whistles in several tribal ceremonies and settings, including sun dances, powwows and sweat lodges.
Some of these ceremonies may sound familiar to non-Native Americans; others may seem more exotic. But either way, for many Native Americans to fully participate in religious ceremonies, they need eagle parts. To get those parts, they can go to the black market, use items passed between friends and family, or put in an order to the National Eagle Repository in Denver.
What a bung of bull.
Maybe this tradition made sense when there was a large healthy population of Bald Eagles. I’ve always thought highly of Native Americans in their conscientious hunting practices, but the killing of a Bald Eagle for religious tradition disgusts me….much like black market sales of exotic species body parts, also with promises of cures or powers. My appreciation of Native American ethics and ideals has taken a sad turn. Just because it’s a longstanding tradition, doesn’t make it right.
The writer forgot to mention that they are only allowed to kill 2 eagles annually for their spiritual celebration. The limit is 2. Also, the bald eagle has prospered recently due to excellent support and care;and as such are no longer on the endangered species list.
Would I prefer that they did not kill the eagles? Yes.
But I did want to add what other writers have noted in their articles which is better written.
To celebrate Custers birthday, let’
s get a permit to hunt down a couple of native americans.
Great idea steven, let’s kill human beings.~
Click on the link innocuously labelled: “Read the whole story”, and you will see that the writer does state that the tribe can only take two eagles and then they have to reapply.
It may be that in the eyes of the creator, one devoutly spiritual Native American hunter is worth more than any number of people who would be disgusted by the hunter and/or suggest hunting down and killing a human being.
BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT, BUT TRIBE MEMBERS GET THEIR FEATHERS FROM ANOTHER STATE.
You have to fill out the paper work with Sacramento BIA or your local capital BIA dept.you must show your native American id number,even if your tribe dwells in other areas of the nation.They will give you all the required info needed to obtain these items.
I’ve have made religious hand fans with beaded turquoise ,bone handles.For such private parties of native tribes,for their dances,peyote pray groups.
There are many different tribes,but one thing is they all believed in something greater than money,is was called God of nature.The one who gave birth to mother earth.I do believe they are even connected to other people of other nation who travel the land bridges before time and nature alter the routes.
Nature as we all know is not always kind, but it is perfect.
Chief “Runs With Dice” needs a stuffed eagle centerpiece for their all you can eat buffet line.
In the Native way, everything that is done with respect to Eagles and other medicine animals is done with many prayers made and done in a honorable way. Everypart of every animal taken is used and the people are grateful for the give a way. It is insulting to read some of these comments. We are all human and of the same family and you should be ashamed Steven. Open your mind and your heart…I’m sure there is good there. I invite you to revisit your words.