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THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2002

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday heard three cases regarding the possession of eagle feathers.

One affects the rights of non-federally recognized Indian tribal members. A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to turn over seized eagle items to Joselius Saenz, a member of the Chiricahua Apache Tribe, which was terminated in the late 1800s.

The judge said keeping the items from Saenz violates his religious freedom. The judge said limiting possession to federally recognized had no basis.

The other two also involve religious freedom but of non-Indians. Federal judges have rejected the claims of two Utah men in both instances.

The cases had been decided last year but were joined after the court decided to put them before the full appeals panel and have the outcomes reconsidered.

A similar case centering on property rights was decided by the 8th Circuit yesterday.

Get the Story:
Court Hears Eagle Feathers Case (AP 1/16)
Appeals court panel rules sale of artifact was illegal (AP 1/16)

Today on Indianz.Com:
Appeals court upholds eagle protection laws (1/17)

Relevant Links:
Eagle Feathers, BIA - http://www.doi.gov/bia/information/eaglepermit.htm
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show - http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/BUFFALOBILL/home.html
The Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act - http://laws.fws.gov/lawsdigest/baldegl.html
Migratory Bird Treaty Act - http://www.usbr.gov/laws/mbta.html

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