BILLINGS, Mont. — Golden eagles in the U.S. are increasingly at risk due to the growing black market for their feathers, often used in Native American powwows and other traditional ceremonies. Wildlife officials, researchers, and tribal leaders have voiced concerns over this illicit trade, prompting government action that combines enforcement against poaching with a program to legally distribute eagle parts to tribal members.
However, this legal distribution effort has faced years-long delays, making the situation more pressing. Reports suggest that illegal hunting is rising, disproportionately affecting younger golden eagles prized for their striking wing feathers. While golden eagles are federally protected, they are not classified as endangered, yet they face a variety of threats, including poisoning, climate change, and fatalities from wind turbines.
A recent investigation on a Montana Indian reservation led to a significant conviction—a man from Washington state was found guilty of participating in the deaths of thousands of birds, including at least 118 bald and golden eagles, which were then sold both domestically and internationally. The sentencing, which could impose a prison term of up to five years, highlights the troubling issue of the black market for these feathers.
In another extensive undercover operation, investigators recovered around 150 golden and bald eagles over a decade, leading to charges against 35 individuals, with 31 convicted of wildlife-related offenses. Perry Lilley, a Nakota Tribe member from northern Montana, experiences firsthand the demand for eagle feathers during the powwows he attends, mentioning that though he understands the illegal killings are “absolutely wrong,” many tribal members feel frustrated by the slow governmental processes to receive legal eagle parts.
Eagle feathers hold significant cultural importance for Native Americans, being used for a variety of ceremonial purposes, from celebrating academic achievements to sacred rites associated with passing. Though the U.S. government operates a repository in Colorado, which legally supplies eagle feathers, it struggles to fulfill the requests for more substantial eagle parts like wings and whole eagles, leaving a vacuum that some criminals attempt to exploit.
“Over the last decade, the prize money associated with powwows has risen significantly, which has in turn increased the demand for eagle feathers,” stated Ed Grace, Chief of Law Enforcement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With the increasing value of feathers in competitive powwow celebrations, some people may resort to illegal means to profit.
Eagle feathers were visible in a recent powwow event in Billings, where participants donned elaborate attire showcasing their feathers while participating in traditional dances accompanied by drums and singing. One individual leading the ceremony carried a staff adorned with an eagle head, while Kenneth Deputee, Sr., from the Crow Indian Reservation, wore a collection of eagle feathers around his waist, emphasizing their symbolic power and personal significance. “The feathers are very important. Once I put that on, I’m ready to rock and roll,” he asserted, reflecting the empowering aspect of these sacred traditions.
Bill Voelker, a member of the Comanche Nation, views the powwow scene through a different lens, suggesting that many see it more as a spectacle rather than a spiritual event, with eagle parts sometimes purchased online for hefty sums. It’s important to note that not every powwow offers cash prizes, complicating the motivation behind the feather trade.
The ongoing poaching case in Montana features allegations that around 3,600 birds, including golden and bald eagles, were killed over a span of years, described as a “killing spree” by the perpetrators themselves. The investigations are painstaking and resource-intensive, which poses challenges for enforcement agencies that are already stretched thin with only a few law enforcement officers per state.
Many reports of eagle trafficking originate from Native communities, with tribal members often providing critical intelligence to law enforcement agencies. Illegal shootings are a major contributor to eagle mortality, according to recent studies, and the Montana case surfaced from a region known for its high eagle population.
Despite being illegal, offers to sell eagle feathers can often be found through internet marketplaces, affirming ongoing challenges in regulating this trade. Voelker, who manages a feather repository and raptor rescue, has voiced concern about the powwow culture, stating, “The biggest atrocity in Indian country today is the powwow, but no one will say that out loud,” despite the communal participation.
The National Eagle Repository in Colorado plays a crucial role in the distribution of eagle parts to tribal members, receiving around 3,500 eagle carcasses annually from various sources. Each year, the repository also receives thousands of requests for eagle parts and feathers, indicating a high demand that far exceeds supply. A recent internal report revealed a substantial backlog of requests, particularly for young golden eagles and their various parts, illustrating the ongoing struggle to meet tribal needs.
Lilley, who has utilized feathers in his regalia, shared his experience of receiving a golden eagle from the government repository after many years of waiting. The significance of these feathers extends into his dance practices, with one feather serving a practical purpose in providing relief from the heat during his performances. “For a dancer, when you’re outside it gets pretty hot, so that’s kind of like your AC,” he remarked, highlighting the cultural and practical dimensions of these treasured items.