BIRDS OF PREY PROGRAM POLICY

Purpose

This policy provides a means of distributing feathers and other items from birds of prey, mainly Eagles, Hawks and Ravens acquired by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment for ceremonial and spiritual use to First Nations individuals and to First Nations institutions.

 

Background

First Nations people throughout Saskatchewan: Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Swampy Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota and Nakota language groups of Saskatchewan, recognize the value of birds of prey, their feathers and/or body parts relating to First Nations ceremonies and spirituality.

 

Through cultural teachings, First Nations Elders have passed on knowledge of how these sacred birds could help in the fulfillment of sacred vows and prayers. As the Eagle carries our prayers to the Creator, the Eagle feather is one of the most sacred and honoured gifts given to an individual. An Elders teaching is that to receive a feather is the equivalent to and represents receiving life. First Nations people believe that the Eagle has spiritual powers and is considered by First Nations as a grandfather and is part of our First Nations families.

 

Because Eagles are sacred, the spiritual powers remain in the feathers and body parts after the Eagle perishes. By accepting Eagle feathers and body parts, we as First Nations people are obligating ourselves to take care of the feathers and body parts to acknowledge their sacredness and the spiritual powers that remain. First Nations people’s obligation is to know and understand the cultural teachings associated with proper protocol needed to acquire feathers and body parts and the protocols for on-going care after receiving the feathers and body parts.

 

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment is responsible for managing the province’s wildlife resources and this policy provides the opportunity for the provincial government to acknowledge First Nations peoples relationship with all of creation, in particular, birds of prey. Under no circumstance are these birds of prey items to be sold for profit or financial gain, which is reflected by the protected species legislation of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment.

 

Scope

This policy will assist the SICC and Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment effectively in the distribution of birds of prey items. All applications will be checked for transparency of information and references contacted. The SICC Elders Council will ultimately have the final say to the results of birds of prey distribution.

A meeting will be called by the SICC President to screen the applications. Upon completion of these tasks, the applicants will be notified. It is imperative that applicants pick up their own items at the Feather Issuance ceremony to present the cloth and tobacco offering (an Elders teaching) before items can be presented.   

 

This policy is for members of Saskatchewan First Nations and is for ceremonial and cultural activities originating from the Saskatchewan traditional area.

 

Process

Eagles and other birds of prey have been accidently killed are often found and then are turned over to Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment catchment areas. After all birds of prey are recovered from regional catchment areas, they are forwarded and held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for pick up by the SICC.

 

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment will provide the SICC with birds of prey, who will in turn, provide these birds, their feathers and/or body parts to successful applicants.

 

This policy is not intended to supersede policy 630-59 and people will continue to be allowed to mount legitimately acquired and protected wildlife.

 

This policy is not to be viewed as a relaxing of enforcement on anyone who kills birds of prey illegally.

 

Procedure and Responsibilities

1. Applications for birds of prey feathers and/or body parts by Saskatchewan First Nations members will be available at the SICC, Tribal Councils or, through First Nations Band Offices. (Application Form appended to policy) and are to be sent to the SICC in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Address on Application Form).

 

1. The SICC will receive, organize and prioritize applications for the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre Elders Council.

 

1. The SICC President will call a meeting where the SICC Elders Council will screen all the applications and make their recommendations for successful applicants.

 

In regards to the giving of feathers, the following priorities will be used:

1. Ceremonies – ceremonies must originate from Saskatchewan traditional areas

2. Eagle Staff

3. Head Dress and Bonnets

4. Achievement Awards: Doctoral Candidates, Masters Candidates, Undergraduate – students must apply for their own feather(s) with supporting letters from parents or grandparents (or equivalent) as well as references.

 

The SICC Elders Council has determined that the following will be ineligible:

1. Pow Wow outfits and regalia

2. Persons under the age of 18

3. Elementary and secondary students

 

All applicants will be notified of the status of the results.

 

1. Successful applicants who are unable to attend the Feather Issuance will have a period of one month to pick up with items from the SICC with proper protocol or their items will be forfeited. Additionally, the applicant will be ineligible to apply again for a period of two years.

 

1. A staff member of the Cultural Resource Management department of the SICC will pick up the birds of prey from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and prepare the Eagles and other birds of prey feathers and body parts in preparation for the Feather Issuance.

 

1. After a ceremonial Sweat Lodge, the birds of prey feathers and body parts will be distributed once a year, based on the availability of birds of prey at a Feast and Feather Issuance Ceremony (late May of each year) sponsored by the SICC. A Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment official and appointed SICC Elders Council member will sign the Birds of Prey permit for the successful applicants.

 

1. A staff member of the Cultural Resource Management department of the SICC will submit a final report for the Birds of Prey Program to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment for the current year.

 

Saskatchewan Legislative Reference

Sections 4 and 6 of the Wildlife Act Government of Saskatchewan.

 

Appendix

Birds of Prey Application Package

 

Approval

Both the SICC Elders Council and the SICC Board or Governors must approve the policy to put the policy into effect.

 

Approval Dates

The SICC Elders Council approved this policy on:                   May 10, 2017

The SICC Board of Governors approved this policy on:          July 6, 2017

This policy takes effect on:                                                     July 6, 2017

 

Policy Owner

Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre

 

Contact:

SICC President

Phone: 306-244-1146

Email: info@sicc.sk.ca