The Eagle Feather Law: How Religious Freedom in America is Restricted for Native Americans
The history of the United States is often referred to as a story of people seeking religious freedom. It begins with the Pilgrims, whose story is deeply ingrained in the American public imagination as some of the earliest settlers who fled religious persecution and hoped to find their freedom by establishing a colony in the “New World.” This theme continues throughout American history and up to the present day.
But what about Religious Freedom for Native Americans? American Indians are the only ethnic group in the United States that require a federal permit for religious freedom. The law upholding this is commonly referred to as the ''eagle feather law'' and it governs the possession and use of eagle feathers. Some think this law is very problematic, charging that it bars many Native people from freely practicing their religion.
- DaShanne Stokes, director of the public interest advocacy group, Religious Freedom with Raptors.
DaShanne Stoke’s article in Indian Country Today
Indigenous Activists Speak Out On 3,000 Mile Journey to Confront Logging Giant Weyerhaeuser From Their Land
Community members from the Grassy Narrows First Nation are taking their fight with a big logging company on the road. They have maintained the longest running Indigenous logging blockade in Canadian history, which is now in its fifth year. Despite years of community opposition, logging company Weyerhaeuser continues to produce and sell building materials made from wood clear-cut and taken without community consent from Grassy Narrows land. Nearly a week ago the Grassy Narrows people kicked off a journey from their traditional territory in Northwest Ontario. Over the course of the next few weeks the group will travel more than 2,000 miles to confront Weyerhauser at their world Headquarters in Seattle Washington. In the meantime, Indigenous activists will speak about their fight to protect their culture, their forests, and their Indigenous people’s right to self-determination on their Traditional Territory.
- Mariah Swain, member of the Grassy Narrows First Nation
- David Sone, of Rainforest Action Network, who is on the road with the Grassy Narrows people. The tour is being organized by U.S.-based NGO Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and local environmental and human rights organizations.
Related Links: FreeGrassy.org.
Comments