Feather rule insult to native people
Re Feb. 20 article on new federal rules, “Chief: Feather rule racist”
I’m Clyde Strickland / Thinking Bird, chief of the Chicora Indian Tribe of South Carolina. I agree with Chief Hatcher of the Waccamaw Indian People and as well with Angelica Chavis and Rob Jacobs of the Lumbee Indian Tribe in North Carolina.
All native people have been stripped of all their rights in the U.S. It does go against any Native American’s rights that isn’t federally recognized. The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people.” The eagle feather has been used for many years before the U.S. government was formed. The eagle is very sacred to native people. Their feathers have been and will continue to be used in ceremonies that include but are not limited to birth, death, marriage, praying, etc.
It is a part of the Native American’s religion, culture and heritage to use the eagle feathers as well as any feather or fur, etc. The new eagle feather rule is a racist and a discriminating move by the U.S. government to the native people that are not federally recognized.
No one can tell if a feather of any bird has been taken illegally or wrongfully. I do encourage the members of the Chicora Indian Tribe or any native to live as close to the traditional ways of our ancestors as possible. I will refuse to hand over any feather or fur that I have. All that I have has been given to me for religious purposes by Native American people or by the Great Spirit. We are all equal people in the eyes of the Great Spirit / God.
All people no matter their skin tone or religion should be allowed to worship without any harm to each other. Taking any part of our religion from us is to take pages out of any bible that is. This is a repeated act of control.
The writer lives in Myrtle Beach.
This story was originally published March 3, 2013 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Feather rule insult to native people."