What's your take on feathers?

[2crowslaughing]

Hello all,

I thought I would throw this out here before I tell my story:

What are your feelings about non-federally recognized Indians/mixed bloods having sacred feathers or going to ceremony? How do you feel about the government regulating Native ceremonies and do you feel they do this by their "issuing" system regarding Eagle feathers?

2CL

[lynellarainhawk]

2Crows,

These are very interesting questions. I know my own personal feelings and beliefs about this subject. But I think I will hold my toung and see what others have to say.:) Just being overly causcious!;) Love & Light, Lynella.

[Julie Jennings]

Two schools of thought regarding federal recognition and one's identity. As Indians, we never had to prove ourselves. Only when money or material profit came into the picture did it matter. We know that Europeans did not keep acurate or complete records on Native Peoples. Many records were also destroyed during warfare, lost or misplaced causing Native Americans a loss of identity. Those with incomplete linkages to their past lose out on modern day offerings by the government. So, you must ask yourself, what are your values and what do you want? Obviously, a sence of belonging out-ways the yellow blocks of cheese that the fed's are handing out! My thoughts tell me, Federal recognition is just another way of pitting Natives against each other to divide and conqure on another level ( those who have and those who do not). Remember, we now fall under the great white mantal of the Europeans, which includes what they will allow regarding ceremony, eagal feahters and prayer.
So, consider yourself lucky for retaining your soverignty without federal interference. If you need feathers that badly, I'll send you mine!
Julie

[lynellarainhawk]

Girl, I do love the way you think!:cool: Now I think I'll go kick some cheesy handed white boy's butt!:D Lovin' Ya', Lynella.

[2crowslaughing]

Well, the reason I asked these questions is because my husband has been charged with possession of a Great Horned Owl. We found it dead on the side of the road. It was the hottest day of July and we were 100 miles from home (on our way to ceremony) so we took it to the nearest taxidermist so it would not spoil. My husband wanted to get the proper paperwork/ permit for the bird because he is a Canadian born Indian and knew that trying to cross the border with those feathers would cause trouble without a permit. The taxidermist would not touch the bird until my husband presented his tribal card, then the taxidermist was delighted because he doesn't get the chance to work with those birds. He told my husband he would have to inform Fish and Wildlife and my husband told him that was what he wanted him to do because he wanted a permit. To make along story short, the taxidermist dropped the ball and did not notify F&W and instead was spot checked by DNR a month later and was caught with the owl. Of course my husbands information was attached to the owl, he wasn't trying to hide anything. He got a call from a F&W officer who verified his info then told him that he saw no reason why he wouldn't recieve a permit. On Dec 1 we got a violation in the mail courtesy of FedEx charging him $1000.00 It was made out by a different F&W officer who says that my husbands reasons for wanting the owl are bogus- he said he is part Cherokee and they avoid the owl so he didn't buy my husbands reasons. ( he saw this as a gift from Creator and is part of his medicine)
We go to court on the 20th. My husband is 100% Dakota/Ojibwe and is registered with Long Plain First Nation, but because he isn't federally recognized, they say he has no rights here in the states. He has been a naturalized citizen since 1980. Any comments on this?

[Julie Jennings]

Unfortunatley, the law is the law. And they are going to use your husband as an example for other Natives without Fed. ID. (That's your responsibility in knowing Federal laws regarding Indians owning feathers)
Remember, we are the one's who have to bend under the Great White Mantle of the ruling class. Just because you don't see the chains doen't mean we are free!
Pray that the court will release you from this financial obligation due to monetary hardship.
LOL

[lynellarainhawk]

2CrowsLaughing,

That totally blows! That's way outrageous. So, the owl is on the endangered spiecies list. If it had been a dead wolf, or bear, or a raven for that matter, would they have been so rediculously stiff? I bet they would have. Like Julie said, to use your husband to make a point. Arggh! I want to go kick some butt! Love & Light, Lynella.

[lynellarainhawk]

2Crows,

I wanted to put this here real quick. I think, to me, if a bird flies over and drops a feather. It is a gift to you from the bird. If you're walking along and find a feather. Leave it, but come back every day to see if it is still there. After several days, if it is still there, it may have been meant for you. Leave an offering, like I use cornmeal and wild sage seed mixed, give prayer of thanks and offer some smoke, give thanks for the gift of the feather and it's yours. Everything must be done respectfully and with good hearted intent. That's what I think about having feathers. Feathers are special to me personally. I take them very seriously, but due to personal beliefs in my own heart and mind I wish not to give further detail on that! :) :) :) I Love You, Lynella.

[Deb]

Lynella,

What do you know about being gifted with a white feather? I have looked and looked trying to find out what it means to get a white feather and I can't find out what it means? You can Email me if you would rather: DZluvs2sew@AOL.com

Deb

[lynellarainhawk]

Deb.

There are a few things to consider. Some of it revolves around what you believe personally on a spiritual level and know in your heart.

What were the circumstances of the gift? This means a lot as well, and the events leading up to and away from the moment of the gift.

Then, Do you have any idea what type of bird left you the gift.

:) If you could e-mail me with these answeres, then I'll let you know what I think.;) Love & Light, Lynella.

lynellarainhawk@yahoo.com

[2crowslaughing]

We are looking forward to court, because he will not plead guilty and it will be held over for trial. We have 26 Chiefs from various Nations who are ready and willing to testify on Matt's (my husband) behalf. He is going to be on Native Voices radio next Sat. night and we have all kinds of other media contacting us about this. What's going to happen is that we are going to make an example out of U.S. government- they are going to have to face up to why they continue to dictate spiritual practices of Native Americans. There are laws that protect NA's against this very issue, the U.N. has laws that supercede any government law against it also. We are armed and ready with stacks of laws to take to court.

We won't pray that they dismiss it. We already have had the Chief Officer of Fish and Wildlife Offices in Washington questioning why he was charged in the first place. The district officer in Minnesota offered to have it dropped and Matt declined the offer because he was told he wouldn't get his owl back. Their P.R. rep called to apologize for everything that has happened. Sounds like they don't want it to go to court, ennit??!!

I'll keep you guys posted.

2CL

:)

[Julie Jennings]

The reason for such restrictions on Indians and feathers is simple. It is a way to control our religious practices that was seen as devil worship back in the day by conquering European Christian settlers. This notion/rule still applies today.
LOL

[lynellarainhawk]

Yep! exactly, and it's wrong, down right blatantly wrong. I mean, they have stigmatized so many of our people to such a depth that their own psychy won't allow them to practice their religion. And it is as perfect and pure and sacred and holy as any. Boy howdy!;) You stick it to em' 2Crows! And please do keep us posted. Love & Light, Lynella.

[vance hawkins]

I think some Indigionous peoples are permitted to hunt some species the rest of the populace can not. Laws restricting the killing of certain species are put in place to prevent their extinction. Therefore the definition of who can kill an legally kill a certain species has relevance in this situation.

Beyond that, I don't feel confident enough to express an opinion.

If it is a legal case pending you oughta get the opinion of a lawyer.

vance

[Julie Jennings]

Yeah, an Indian lawyer who deals in tribal affairs!!!

[GrayOwl]

This is a shameful thing that has happend. He was presented with a gift from the creator, plain and simple. The gift would have went to waste, but a use was found and I have no doubt that this was the original intention.

The problem is, backed into a corner, the assistant united states attorney or state's attorney will come out fighting. There have been many recent court cases for both native and (non-native native american church members). The results are mixed and depend on the climate of the regional appelate courts.

I am a Federal Officer and have my own opinions. Bottom line, I would get myself fired before charging someone who is sincerely practicing a traditional native belief. Conversly, I am death on anyone who swings a sacred feather from their rearview.

Federal laws about feather use are fairly few. If your not talking about Eagle feathers, then you fall back to the protected lists. I see tons of people with Hawk feathers at pow-wows, but there is no federal permit for them. However, some time back the USF&W agents were given directions to well....kind of ignore it if there was no question of the spiritual nature of use. Seem's no one realized that the hawk was also a sacred bird to natives.

Bottom line, I don't think a court is going to vacate holdings of law on the possession of a great horned owl. I worked as a deputy federal game warden for a while and I just don't see it happening. Unfortunately, the state courts have the feds to blame when they stick it to someone. I don't agree with it, and had it been my case, you would probably have the feathers. I have a couple of suggestions if your interested. jrhjlh@msn.com is my e-mail.

[2crowslaughing]

OK, I am back from a short absense and can address some of the posts now!

We do have an attorney, one who is well versed in Native Law and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. I am happy to report that the case was dismissed before it ever got to court. Seems the Fish and Wildlife Service has a policy that states: "it is our policy not to pursue charges against federally recognized Tribal Members or First Nations People." Therefore, the case was dismissed.

Just a side note, my husband did not kill the owl, we found it on the side of the road- roadkill. Also, the Great Horned Owl is not on the endangered species list, but is on the Migratory Bird list (even though they don't migrate) and that is why it's against the law to possess one. Just FYI!!

We are still going forward with trying to get the owl returned to Matt. Our attorney has referred us to a civil attorney for that.

Take care all and thank you for all the well wishes!

2CL

[2crowslaughing]

Gray Owl, I sent you an email.

2CL

[GrayOwl]

It's times like this when you know your prayers are answered. Thanks to the Creator, and thanks to you guys for making a stand!

[GrayOwl]

It's times like this when you know your prayers are answered. Thanks to the Creator, and thanks to you guys for making a stand!

[lynellarainhawk]

Gray Owl,

Thank you for posting on this. I don't know you well, but I can say I have a lot of respect for you.

2CrowsLaughing,

Thank you for clearing up the endangered species thing. I really thought they were endangered. It's good to know they are not.

:) Love & Light, Lynella.