Eagle feather thread

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Does US law allow the possession of Eagle Feathers by Chiefs, Chieftains, and "Gentlemen" like it does Native Americans?

It seems unlikely that there would be a Federal Law that would favour one race or ethnic group over any other. That being the case one would presume that there would be no difference between Native Americans and Scottish armigers-- or any one else for that matter-- as regards possession of Eagle Feathers.

[beloitpiper]

It seems unlikely that there would be a Federal Law that would favour one race or ethnic group over any other. That being the case one would presume that there would be no difference between Native Americans and Scottish armigers-- or any one else for that matter-- as regards possession of Eagle Feathers.

Well, there is. In Wisconsin, at least, American Indians have access to hunting and fishing grounds at times the rest of us don't. Because of their cultural affiliations, they don't have to obey certain hunting laws. Also, in archaeology, we're required to report Indian remains to the government, as dictated in NAGPRA

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

It seems unlikely that there would be a Federal Law that would favour one race or ethnic group over any other. That being the case one would presume that there would be no difference between Native Americans and Scottish armigers-- or any one else for that matter-- as regards possession of Eagle Feathers.

Right, but federal law tends to be bulky & inefficient. Does anyone out there know for sure if those Scots are protected?

[hospitaller]

Does US law allow the possession of Eagle Feathers by Chiefs, Chieftains, and "Gentlemen" like it does Native Americans?

No, it does not allow for scottish chiefs, chieftains or gentlemen to bypass laws that the US Citizens have to abide by.

Does anyone out there know for sure if those Scots are protected?

They are not. The law is there in all its glory and there are no exemptions for Scots.

.

[Wompet]

One has to remember that, for the Highland Scots, the wearing of eagle feathers reaches back to ...

MacMillan, thank you for the explanation. I had wondered about the origins of the practice.
Now to go skim through the Brehon Laws - they sound like they may be interesting.

[McMurdo]

This thread was closed down earlier on today, after PM's from various members asking it be reinstated, I have put it back up. Please remember gents to keep this civil, we did close one of these down earlier today.

[ForresterModern]

As an aside, I am pleased to see this thread re-opened and for those members who have been able to keep the discussion historical and factual with regards to the legalities and history of eagle feathers in the US, Scotland and our heritage. I would like to thank you all, especially the ever vigilant mods, for allowing this discussion to continue, even after a couple slip ups.

I agree with Sandy that this eagle feather topic has little actual effect on the vast majority of those of us who wear the kilt, especially those on this side of the pond. But understanding the history and background of a specific tradition, and its current ability to be practiced under modern legal and social structures both here and abroad, is interesting and valuable information for all interested in such topics, allowing us to understand and hopefully abide by the historical and social guidelines and give them their due respect.

Thanks again to all for your knowledge and civility, and especially to the mods for helping us all toe the line (a line by which we all agreed to abide when we signed onto this forum for the first time).


jeff

[budd4766]

There's an alternative for those who'd like to try it. Leather feathers like this one, made by Jim Linnell of Tandy, can be made to look realistic enough that he's had Native Americans buy his to use in ceremonies rather than risk damaging their real feathers.
http://leatherworker.net/Linnell/pag...ndy%20(24).htm

[Piper]

My understanding of the law (which is extremely limited) is that possession of any part of a raptor is strictly prohibited, with exceptions made for Native Religious purposes. Various vendors carry museum quality resin skulls and talons, and there a fake feathers to be had. Several years back, a friend of mine on the Rendezvous circuit produced reproduction hawk and eagle feathers through careful use of scissors and an airbrush. He got what I at the time considered an insane price for them.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

My understanding of the law (which is extremely limited) is that possession of any part of a raptor is strictly prohibited, with exceptions made for Native Religious purposes. Various vendors carry museum quality resin skulls and talons, and there a fake feathers to be had. Several years back, a friend of mine on the Rendezvous circuit produced reproduction hawk and eagle feathers through careful use of scissors and an airbrush. He got what I at the time considered an insane price for them.

For some of us the concept of wearing "fake feathers" would be analogous to taking Kool-Aide at Communion.