Native Americans & Birds of Prey

    The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 protects birds of prey and other migratory birds. This act says that migratory birds, their feathers/nests/and even eggs are not allowed to be kept by anyone. This means feathers of birds that are dead or alive. The only people who have permission to have these are Native Americans. They can use them in religious or cultural celebrations or activities and can get them from ‘feather banks’ or repositories. Repositories are places where the government collects and keeps feathers and body parts that are sent in by people who find them. There is one in Denver, Colorado, and another in Ashland, Oregon. Any other person has to get special licenses to own these, even if they are going to be used for teaching.
    Native Americans respect birds of prey. Each kind of bird is a symbol of something.   The eagle is probably the most important to them. Native Americans believed that when all birds were created, the eagle was chosen as the leader. The wearing of an eagle feather is thought to bring that person nearer to God. If a Native American has an eagle feather, he is supposed to hang it somewhere in his house. It can’t be put away in a box, for example. Just as people honor their nation’s flag, Native Americans honor eagle feathers and make sure that they don’t fall to the ground, get messed up, or treated with disrespect. A Golden Eagle feather was the most honored eagle feather.
    If a Native American man or boy did something very brave, he might earn an eagle feather if the deed could be proven. Different feathers were given for different deeds. Only ‘earned’ feathers were allowed to be worn. For example, if a brave was out hunting and found an eagle feather, he could take it home but he couldn’t actually wear it until he did something heroic. Really old braves might have lots of feathers that they would attach to a headdress. These headdresses were a display of their bravery and heroic deeds.
    There were Native American myths for eagles and other birds of prey. For example:

Some thought owls were a sign of danger or death.		Others thought that owl hoots meant a they were going to get a visit from a witch.
Lakota Sioux people thought it was good luck to see eagles.	Ancient Incas thought vultures relayed their wishes to the gods.		Some Native Americans thought the California Condor caused thunder because their wings make such a loud noise as they flew.

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