Native American Symbols
One of the most revered of all Native American symbols is the eagle. In a culture rich with symbolic meaning and oral tradition in the absence of a written language, this honored animal is held at the highest level of esteem.
Both the eagle and its feathers are considered Native American symbols that are sacred. In fact, some cultures compare the bird and its feathers to the Bible and crucifix. Like these Christian symbols, the eagle and its feathers are often vital elements in Native American religious rituals and spiritual customs.
Eagle feathers have historically been used as Native American symbols of respect, trust, and esteem. They were traded or given to non-Native peoples as a token of acceptance and to symbolize agreement in terms or conditions.
Later, when the United States became a formalized government, the Bald Eagle was adopted as its national symbol. Although once on the list of threatened and endangered species, the eagle is no longer listed as such. Nevertheless, it is illegal to kill, capture, or harvest feathers of the Bald Eagle because it is a legally protected symbolic image of the country.
Because the eagle is protected by US law but still revered by many of the indigenous peoples of the country, there are specials laws that make exception to the protection of the eagle and its feathers. Individuals who can verify ancestry in a Native American tribe recognized by the US government can legally obtain and use eagle feathers. Anyone else can be arrested and prosecuted.
While this most treasured of Native American symbols is risky, often illegal, to come by in this country, the eagle falls under no governmental protections in Canada. Because of the booming demand on the US market for eagle feathers, there is a steady supply of poached feathers crossing the border into the US. Again, anyone caught doing this is subject to arrest and prosecution, even if they are of Canadian citizenship.
Please send any comments directly to the author, Joseph Paige.