Context:

The bald eagle's designation as the official bird of the United States brings pride and hope to Native Americans, who have long revered the eagle as a sacred messenger to the Creator. This recognition comes nearly 250 years after the eagle was first used as a symbol of the nation, with many Native Americans incorporating eagle feathers into ceremonies to mark achievements. The Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota, home to a significant bald eagle population, celebrates this acknowledgment, seeing it as a step towards reducing national division. The formal recognition of the bald eagle highlights its spiritual significance to Indigenous peoples and aims to raise awareness about human behaviors that inadvertently harm these birds. Despite challenges such as illegal trafficking and habitat loss, Native Americans continue to honor the eagle, viewing it as a powerful connection to both their heritage and the spirit world.

Dive Deeper:

• Native Americans hold bald eagles sacred as messengers to the Creator and celebrate its recent designation as the official bird of the United States with ceremonies involving eagle feathers. This recognition nearly 250 years after its initial symbolism is seen as an opportunity for national unity.

• In Minnesota, home to the second-largest population of bald eagles in the United States, the Prairie Island Indian Community celebrates the eagle's official status. The community sees this honor as a step towards reducing division and promoting respect for the eagle's significance.

• The bald eagle has been a symbol of strength and power, appearing on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782. Despite its symbolic presence, it only recently received official recognition through legislation supported by Minnesota legislators and signed by President Joe Biden.

• Native American culture deeply respects the eagle, viewing it as a spiritual intermediary that connects individuals to the Creator and the spirit world. Ceremonies bestowing eagle feathers are considered the highest form of respect for personal achievements.

• Efforts to protect bald eagles from harm include addressing issues such as road accidents and lead poisoning, which arise from human encroachment and environmental changes. Wildlife and tribal officials are concerned about illegal trafficking of eagle parts, despite legal programs for distributing feathers to tribal members.

• The official recognition of the bald eagle aims to raise awareness of its cultural and spiritual importance and educate the public on reducing behaviors that harm these birds. Native Americans hope this acknowledgment fosters greater respect and coexistence with the natural world.

• The Prairie Island Indian Community and other Native American groups advocate for the eagle's protection and reverence, offering prayers and traditional offerings whenever they encounter the bird. This cultural practice underscores the eagle's role as a symbol of unity and resilience.