29. ~ Eagle ~

The sound of the golden eagle is a high yelp! The eagle is mentioned twenty-eight times in the Bible. The eagle has extraordinary powers of vision. It can soar to vast heights, without any apparent motion of its wings or tail. The wingspan is more than seven feet. They can live more than thirty years. They breed between March and August. Golden eagles reuse their nests. The babies are called eaglets. Adults can carry up to eight pounds while they are in flight. They have extremely strong, sharp talons. The length of this bird is three feet. The adults are dark chocolate with a warm caramel-coloured neck and a golden tail. The juveniles generally have white patches on them. Eagles mate for life! The females lays one to two eggs at a time. Nonnative people caught with an eagle feather can be fined up to $25,000 US dollars. Only status, registered, Native Americans with at least one grandparent who is or was, full blood can obtain an eagle permit. Native Americans are not allowed to give eagle feathers to non status, or nonnative Indians. The Eagle feather law is extremely controversial. That being said, the golden eagle/bald eagle is highly regarded by native and nonnative people alike.

Medicine:

Eagle medicine teaches us about honouring traditions and reminds us that some things in life are to be treated very sacred. Eagle medicine teaches us to respect spiritual rights of others, even if we don't understand their ways, so long as they are not harmful. Eagle medicine tell us to honour the Great Spirit. Eagle medicine teaches us that we all have spirit guides and spirit teachers. Eagles tell us we need to express our spirituality. The eagle's nest represents a place of spiritual rest, and we should have our own place for such things. Eagle medicine teaches we need to balance our spiritual life and our material life carefully. The Eagle is a sign of our prayers being carried upward to the Great Spirit, our Creator.