Only Indians can use eagle feathers...

[WhoMe]

In a New York Times article, it was recently ruled by the federal courts that only Indians can use eagle feathers.

Also addressed in this article is the definition of the word, "Indian," non Indians who are supposedly adopted by Indian tribes and gifts of eagle feathers from Indians to non Indians.


Only Indians Can Use Eagle Feathers for Religious Practices, Court Rules - NYTimes.com

I've seen a lot of non Indians dancing with eagle feathers, with eagle feathers in their cowboy hats and with eagle feathers hanging off their rear view mirrors. I wonder if this ruling will cause enforcement of cracking down on non Indians who have eagle feathers?????

[CandaePrincess]

so you have to actually have a CDIB or tribal card from a Federally Recognized tribe? Or are state tribes included?

[WhoMe]

so you have to actually have a CDIB or tribal card from a Federally Recognized tribe? Or are state tribes included?

According to the article " F E D E R A L L Y R E C O G N I Z E D. "


(So if it's dark and the feds don't recognize you. . . You're blowed up!)

[CandaePrincess]

whay! I guess I better get to know my Feds. :P

[NorthofAda]

I carry a copy of my permit and my tribal ID when I got to powwows - so, if there is any question of whether my feathers are legit, I have proof.

[NancyJo]

Good Grief!!!! He was ONLY fined $50 for 141 eagle feathers!!!!
Seems like that was a pretty small fine for that many feathers.
Heck, now we probably got all these folks going, 'oh hey,....if it's only going to be $50........'
Good Grief!!!!!

[Jadenia]

uh oh

oh snaps! I better go hide my feathers ya'll!

[Zeke]

I wonder if this ruling will cause enforcement of cracking down on non Indians who have eagle feathers?????

I'm going to bet "no."

Do the Feds really have the desire to check out who is actually 1/256 Indian?

[Toolbox]

I dunno, Zeke, with the government facing an enormous debt and between 30 and 60 billion in cuts, they'll probably go after everything and everyone that they can...

[Zeke]

I dunno, Zeke, with the government facing an enormous debt and between 30 and 60 billion in cuts, they'll probably go after everything and everyone that they can...

I see your point, but I'd bet even OUR government is unwilling to expend a multitude of Agents at $50 fines...

[Toolbox]

At $50 no, but thats when they raise the fines to something like $500 per feather, but then again anyone who goes to fight them on the fines will cause the government to spend even more money on court costs, and given our inefficient system will mean the costs will be staggering...

I rarely see anyone checking IDs around here and there are many non-indians and uncarded ones in this area of the country. If the government really wants to make a quick buck they just need to hit PA, OH and NJ on the weekends over the course of a month, which might hit some of these jackals around here with a reality check of who they really are...

[yaahl]

WhoMe, Just for a bit of clarification, can you add in the title, "Only Indians Can Use Eagle Feathers in the USA"... Up here in Canuckistan, we have no restrictions on who can hold these feathers.

[WhoMe]

WhoMe, Just for a bit of clarification, can you add in the title, "Only Indians Can Use Eagle Feathers in the USA"... Up here in Canuckistan, we have no restrictions on who can hold these feathers.

Actually I'm going to let it stand. If non First Nations people bring their feathers down to the USA - B E W A R E. You've been warned! *L

[CandaePrincess]

Actually I'm going to let it stand. If non First Nations people bring their feathers down to the USA - B E W A R E. You've been warned! *L

I hope they recognize you!!! *L* We should make shirts that say "YOU KNOW ME" (Federally recognized tribes) :P

[AmigoKumeyaay]

Good Grief!!!! He was ONLY fined $50 for 141 eagle feathers!!!!
Seems like that was a pretty small fine for that many feathers.
Heck, now we probably got all these folks going, 'oh hey,....if it's only going to be $50........'
Good Grief!!!!!

A nice plea bargain, but it did bring things to a conclusion.
I can see a new round of lawsuits from the non-recognized tribal cultures.

The main problem here...is that the demand for the feathers is on a pace far ahead of the breeding cycle of eagles. We must protect the eagle from extinction....which would happen if nobody was minding this issue.