As Thanksgiving approaches, some families are starting to use turkey feathers to make decorations. In modern lifestyle, we see feathers as a lightweight natural material or a decorative element in certain works of art. But in many Native American cultures, the "weight" of feathers goes far beyond that. In fact, there are many stories and histories worth telling about the connection between feathers and human spirit. Not just turkeys, but every feather is actually a gift from the sky.

In Native American cultures, there is no strict boundary between nature and humanity. Birds are often seen as bridges connecting them to the sky and the wind. So when a feather falls to the earth, this sacred gift from the Creator carries the bird's energy and mission. For many tribes, this energy is also part of what sustains their spiritual world. For example, the Ojibwe people use feathers to guide smoke during rituals, symbolizing carrying prayers to the sky; in Powwow (traditional dances), dancers use feathers to express tribal stories and the rhythm of humanity and nature; in some tribal meetings, elders pass around a "speaking stick" decorated with feathers, symbolizing it's the holder's turn to speak.

Of all feathers, eagle feathers are the most revered. The eagle swift, strong, and courageous is seen by many Indigenous tribes as the closest embodiment of the sky. Generally, eagle feathers are used to express respect they are seen as a reward for outstanding achievements or a gift of great significance. People hold eagle feathers in high esteem, displaying them with pride and handling them with care. If an eagle feather falls during a dance or ritual, people will hold a special ceremony to retrieve it. When an eagle feather is held above someone's head, it signifies bravery or wishes for courage and happiness. This importance is even recognized by American law. It is illegal for private individuals to obtain eagle feathers without permission. But under certain conditions, Native Americans may receive special exemptions for owning, gifting, and passing on eagle feathers

The reason why US law imposes such strict restrictions on feathers is inextricably linked to a tragic history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, white settlers and professional hunters indiscriminately hunted birds for food, entertainment, fashion, and profit. The demand for feathers, especially those used to adorn fashionable ladies' hats, resulted in the deaths of millions of snowy herons and other waterbirds. Combined with habitat loss, increasing human activities had led to the extinction of many bird species. For example, the passenger pigeon, once abundant and seemingly invincible, was hunted to extinction. This historical tragedy laid the foundation for the later federal protection system.

To prevent a recurrence of this tragedy, people began to push for and enact laws to protect bird populations. The first was the Lacey Act of 1900. This act prohibited the illegal capture, possession, transport, or sale of fish, wild animals, and plants. Then in 1918, the United States passed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Aimed to protect native birds, this act prohibited the possession and sale of bird’s feathers, bird organs, and eggs.

However, these laws neglected the hunting activities that native Americans were obligated to engage in due to their religious beliefs. Due to the loss of legal means of obtaining feathers, many traditions, rituals, and dances were eventually forgotten. Such forgetting can be fatal to a culture. With each passing generation, a little more slips away. Until by the third or fourth, even the roots of a tribe begin to fade when the carriers of spiritual meaning can no longer be easily obtained. Simultaneously, the demand for feathers led to the emergence of a large black market. These underground transactions continued to harm wildlife and birds.

Fortunately, the federal government recognized the importance of respecting native culture in time. In August of 1978, Public Law 95341, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, became law. This act reaffirmed respect for Native American religious beliefs. However, obtaining feathers still required an application to the Wildlife Service. Furthermore, Native Americans may gift feathers to other Native Americans, but selling them still remains illegal. Payment is permitted only for the labor or craftsmanship involved in creating items such as fans—not for the protected feathers themselves.

Feathers are not only a gift of nature, but also a bridge to culture and spirituality. Understanding feathers means understanding a deeper ecological ethic and cultural respect. For various reasons, Native Americans eventually settled in urban environments unrelated to the tribal lands that provided feathers. But we can learn and respect their feather culture. It is not only a protection of cultural traditions, but also a new perspective on bird conservation.

Reference:

Rhoades, R. L. (2023, October 30). Where every feather counts. Reasons to Be Cheerful. https://reasonstobecheerful.world/sacred-feathers-repository-native-american-traditions/

Indians, feathers, and the law in western Oklahoma. (n.d.). Expedition Magazine. https://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/indians-feathers-and-the-law-in-western-oklahoma/