The Ute Tribal Business Committee released a statement on Wednesday following a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow direct collection of certain eagles when found on tribal lands. While they express support for this aspect of the new policy, opposition is expressed for the possibility of broader use. The statement reads: “The Ute Tribal Business Committee appreciates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts to establish a new policy promoting the direct collection of eagle feathers found on tribal lands. While this policy recognizes tribal sovereignty and is a step in the right direction towards protecting tribal members ability to practice their religion, the Business Committee remains concerned with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s ongoing consideration of the Petition submitted by Pastor Robert Soto and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty which seeks to allow non-Indian the ability to possess and use eagle feathers. Allowing non-Indians to possess eagle feathers for religious purposes fundamentally violates the government’s trust obligation to Indian tribes, undermines the federal law and policy governing over a century of tribal federal relations, and irreparably harms all federally recognized Indian tribes by incentivizing the appropriation and commercialization of not only eagle feathers, but Native American culture and religious beliefs.” The Business Committee will continue to work with Fish and Wildlife Service.
