Question for our Native American Buddies (May: health, home, service)

[SeabeeBolt]

I was once told by a gentleman (well he claimed) that he was in possession of a Golden Eagle feather unkowingly. The story is that he was in a restaurant while stationed at Ft. Sill. When a Native American fella asked him if he was the one that had a feather on the dash of his vehicle. The person asking the question, asked him if he knew what kind of feather it was. He replied that all he knew was that he liked the way it looked and that he had found it on the ground while walking. The fella informed him that it was a Golden Eagle feather and that it was illegal for a white man to be in possession of it. But, (now this part I'm questioning) as the story goes the Native Amercan gentleman told him that he was a Shaman of a local tribe and that he had the power to give it to him as a gift. And presumingly he did so.

So, my question is. Is it legal for a white man to have a feather of this type in his possession, or for one to be given to him as a present by a Tribal Shaman?

[redbird4848]

How can anyone NOT know it was an eagle feather. They are extremely large and beautiful. Very distinct coloring. I hope like heck your friend did not shoot an eagle.

What state did your buddy live in? I never heard any Indian use the word shaman except for some of the Natives up in Alaska. Shaman is sort of an academic word. We DO have men who are like what the white men call shaman or medicine man, but we have different terms for it. I guess each area or state has its own words, but where I am from, we don't use the word shaman.

As for his powers to present the non-Indian an eagle feather as a gift, the answer is no. Here is a link to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and speak with a Wildlife Biologist.

http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/law/eagle/

May I sell objects made from the eagles feathers?

No. Feathers or parts of bald or golden eagles and other migratory birds may NOT be sold, purchased, bartered, or traded. They may, however, be handed down to family members, from generation to generation, or from one Native American to another for religious purposes. Native Americans CAN NOT give eagle feathers or parts to non-Native Americans as a gift.

[bjb123]

My hubby, Seabeebolt, will be checking out this link for himself tonight when he gets home.

We were looking at some other threads that had eagle photos in them & this story came to mind when we were looking at the pictures. Unfortunately, the guy my DH was writing about has a habit of "embellishing" stories sometimes, so, one doesn't know what's true or not. I don't remember which area or town of OK this event would've happened. This guy was stationed at Ft. Sill is all I know - originally he's from Ohio.

I really don't think he would have shot the eagle. The original storyteller seems to have a healthy respect for wildlife. And besides, my hubby would whip out a can of whoop a$$ for real (not the R.D. Mercer kind). And my husband's a "big fella".

[SeabeeBolt]

I appreciate your quick and direct response to my question and the web site aswell.

And as my best half (bjb123) pointed out, I would have put a pop-knot on his coconut head if I had heard that he or anyone else ever hurt such a magnificent bird. I'm glad that only Native Americans are allowed to have anything (i.e feathers) of the Eagle in their possession. "Hey, if you want the truth?" Go to the best source, I've always been told. Thanks for the info.

I'll check out the web site here directly, redbird4848. Oh, and by the way. What does the (4848) part of your name mean anyway? "If you don't mind my asking". Does it stand for the lower 48 states?

And a Blessed Holiday Season to you and yours.