So for my final semester before I get my BA, I am doing an unofficial study!! If you have any kind of knowledge or experience with eagles, eagle feathers or just have an opinion on them, please consider filling out my questionnaire. I would be so, so thankful for any insight.
I am interested in the power and meaning given to the eagle and their feathers---especially by Indigenous peoples but I am also open to responses from non-natives if you feel compelled to respond.
Please share this if you're not able to respond! I would so so appreciate it!
You know Charles? We love him. Big strong man, heart of gold. Baby boy. You might have already noticed, but in the epilogue, one of Charles' outfits includes two golden eagle tail feathers in his hair;
Right here!
So, for the record I am not a Native American, but I found this pretty interesting.
I had some basic knowledge of how eagles and their feathers are treated in the USA- I knew that they're very heavily monitored, and it is only legal for Natives to possess them for religious/spiritual reasons due to the heavily protected nature of the birds. This goes for both golden and bald eagles.
So, because I'm a sleep deprived idiot who doesn't know when to quit, I did some reading, and found this essay!
Essay Winner Explains the Sacredness of Earning Eagle Feathers
I know that the Wapiti tribe in RDR2 are inspired by a mix of tribes from across the Rockies, but the general theme prevailing here appears to be consistent. This article by a Lakota student explains beautifully the significance of these feathers to Natives overall, and gave me some of the insight I needed into why Charles happens to have these two feathers.
"... A man wounded in battle would earn a feather dyed red, black tipped tail-feathers would be given to warriors for war honors."
When I looked into the tail feathers, what I had initially thought had been confirmed: we found a match!
Charles earned these feathers for war honours, for his services to the Wapiti tribe. Although he is of mixed heritage, he would still be able to receive these feathers due to his native blood, despite not knowing anything of his tribe.
My guess is that Rains Fall presented these to him in the seven years between Arthur's death and his reunion with John, if he stayed with the tribe for that period of time.
This might have been for a number of reasons, such as Charles' part in attempting negotiations with Favours, defending the people and property of the reservation or for returning Eagle Flies to his father as he is dying. Of course, many other things could have happened in the seven years that we don't get to see him, but these are fair guesses.
I just thought this was pretty interesting and wanted to share, hope you enjoyed the read lmao
If I've made any mistakes or you want to add, pls let me know!
Some SJWs were whining telling white people not to culturally appropriate NAs (Native Americans) by having eagle feathers. Some even claiming to be NA themselves. They failed to mention it's against the law for anyone not enrolled in a NA tribe to have them. Which is why all whites I know of including myself and other races don't have them. Makes question some of these SJWs claims about being NA since last I heard most NAs are aware of this law. I even posted a long rant about it recently.
