I am pleased to tell you that yet another honor was recently bestowed on Liberty Wildlife.
We have been selected to be one of two entities in the country to participate in a two year pilot program allowing us to be a non-eagle feather repository for the Native American community. Historically and culturally Native Americans have used feathers in religious and healing ceremonies, but since 1999 the only feathers they could legally obtain were eagle feathers. All feathers from native birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which prohibits anyone from obtaining/possessing any native bird feathers or bird parts. Legally recognized tribal members could possess them but had no legal avenues to get them.
Starting in October, after the feathers are archived and the process is set up, Liberty Wildlife will be allowed to accept feather requests from legally permitted Native Americans. After the permits are approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, these permittees will finally be able to obtain non-eagle feathers, bird parts or carcasses from the repository at Liberty Wildlife or SIA in the Comanche Nation in Oklahoma.
We are very proud to be able to add this to our growing list of services to the community. A formal announcement will be made on July 27th at the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Conference in Scottsdale where Liberty Wildlife’s eagles will provide part of the blessing prior to the announcement. We will also have a booth at the event to educate the participants regarding our participation in this non-eagle feather repository pilot program.
There will be more to come on this subject as we near the opening of the repository. Stay tuned or check our dedicated web site, www.non-eaglefeathers.net for updates.
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