Wambdi--eagle, is held in high esteem by the Dakota/Lakota/Nakota people. It is said that we use him to carry messages to our creator because he flies so high. Therefore, to have and use a feather he has given us in our ceremonies and entreaties with our creator is most appropriate. The eagle is held in high esteem and to have a feather is a high honor.

Feathers come to us in different ways, oftentimes as gifts from relatives. The first time an eagle feather comes to us is when we receive a naming ceremony. The young boy receives a feather and a plume to the girl. Acts of bravery or outstanding leadership qualities also led to the honor of receiving a feather.

In the old days we had men and women who specialized in hunting the eagle. The whole process of obtaining an eagle was done in a ceremonial way, with many rituals and procedures to be followed. The eagle catcher must kill the eagle by pushing a ball of sage in the mouth of the eagle. In this way the feathers will be nice and shiny and will last for a long time. Wambdi could be captured alive, but, the tree nesting families would often shed feathers and these could be gathered and used also. Today, the Department of Interior provides eagles for use after many application forms are completed.

Warrior feathers are given and worn for honorable service to one's people, whether in war or for a deed that deserves special recognition. Indians did not consider killing people as the ultimate in earning a feather. Indeed, the most highly held act against an enemy was to touch him and retreat without being harmed. This is called counting coup. When a warrior was wounded on a mission the feather he earned was subject to what is called the red feather ceremony. In this instance, the man conducting the ceremony will make a cut on his skin where blood flows. The feather is dabbed in the blood signifying a warrior being wounded. Today this red feather is awarded men and women who have received a Purple Heart for service in the armed forces of the United States.

A warrior feather is treated with utmost respect. It is not used in ceremonies where women are in menstruation, that being a particular taboo observed by the northern plains Sioux tribes. When eagle feathers are to be used in ceremony, the elder women ask the women in their moon to stay away from the ceremony. It is not displayed or worn except in appropriate and honorable occasions. When not in use it should be allowed to hang in the fresh air, much as it was when with its original owner. When the feather must be transported a covered container is used with sprigs of sage, sweet grass, and cedar providing a bed for it. Sweet grass is placed beside eagle feathers to protect from mites eating holes in the feather. All eagle feathers are kept with utmost respect.

Leonard R. Bruguier, Tahunska Tanka--"Big Leggins"
1 October 2001

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26 February 2002, lrb