Eagle theft pits religious practice against the law

Eagle theft pits religious practice against the law

2 men say feathers are for ceremonies

By Matt Krasnowski
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

May 14, 2006

LOS ANGELES – It was a crime that disturbed animal lovers and confounded law enforcement. Six years ago, two golden eagles and one bald eagle, all unable to fly, were stolen from the Santa Barbara Zoo and probably killed. Spent shell casings and feathers were found near their pens.

The investigation led to charges being filed that received little notice. Two Southern California men were charged last year with possession of bald and golden eagle feathers and parts, although there is no evidence linking them to the thefts or eagle deaths. Federal prosecutors say the men illegally possessed hundreds of feathers from predatory birds.

In recent weeks, however, the criminal complaints have sparked a unique court fight pitting environmental interests against religious freedom. The two men say they are leaders in their respective Native American churches and have ties to Indian tribes in Mexico. The men say that they use the eagle feathers in religious services and that the criminal charges violate federal law and their First Amendment rights to religious freedom.

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The feathers are considered “transmitters” that allow ancient spirits to communicate with ceremonial leaders, LaHue said. The feathers also can be used to clean a person's aura or energy field, he added.

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And, several Native Americans that I personally know who are Lakota consider eagle feathers scared.... however, they NEVER kill a bird to obtain the feathers: they collect cast off feathers.

any more that I have a religious right to rob your house if one of your posessions happens to have religious significance to me.

I believe that there are programs out there that enable Native Americans to obtain eagle feathers legally, from birds that have died of natural causes. There is absolutely no excuse for stealing and killing animals from a zoo.

If a hawk or an eagle is roadkill, most DOTs have a list of Native American shamen who can be given the feathers. Since the eagle is considered a messenger to the spirits, and Eagle Spirit itself is very strong and powerful, one never intentionally kills an eagle if they are on the Red Road.