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JULY 10, 2000

A federal grand jury has indicted a Minnesota man for selling several Native artifacts containing eagle feathers, in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

Timothy Patrick Kornwolf was indicted on July 7 for allegedly possessing with intent to sell a Sioux dance shield valued at $7,000, a headdress valued at $15,000, and a Sioux Yawapi medicine wand.

All of the items contain eagle feathers. The indictment alleges Kornwolf knew it was illegal to possess and/or sell the items.

The Act prohibits the sale of any items containing parts of bald and golden eagles, including feathers. Passed in 1940 and expanded in 1962, the Act prohibits the taking, possesion, import/export, seeling, and transporting of bald and golden eagles.

Permits are excepted for Native Americans, many of whom consider the eagle sacred and use feathers for ceremonies and religious and cultural purposes.

Eagle protection has been the subject of debate lately. In July 1999, President Clinton proposed to remove the bald eagle from the endangered species list.

A decision was expected on or around July 4 of this year, but it was delayed by US Fish and Wildlife, who cited concerns over the ability to manage the wildlife of the bald eagle. The government estimates there are 5,748 breeding pairs.

The Department of Interior is currently weighing a proposal by the Hopi Tribe of Arizona to take golden eaglets, which are not endangered, in the Wupatki National Monument. Hopi clan members would take an eaglet for eligious purposes, removing the one which is most often killed by its older siblings.

A US District Court in New Mexico recently ruled that a set of eagle feathers be returned to the Southern Chiricahua Apache. In 1996, federal officials confiscated the feathers from Joseluis Saenz, a tribal member who cannot apply for a federal permit because the tribe is not federally recognized.

The judge ruled his religious rights were infringed by the government. Fish and Wildlife are appealing the decision to the 10th Circuit.

Related Stories:
Govt delays eagle decision (Enviro 7/6)
Hopi decision is sensitive (Enviro 7/5)
EDITORIAL: Unmasking Cultural Prejudice (The Talking Circle 12/99)

Relevant Links:
The Hopi Tribe of Arizona - www.hopi.nsn.us
From US Fish and Wildlife - President Clinton Announces Proposal to Remove Our National Symbol From Endangered Species List (US Fish and Wildlife July 1999)
US Fish and Wildlife - www.fws.gov
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 - laws.fws.gov/lawsdigest/baldegl.html