And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1999 10:05:51 EDT Subject: Governor's Feather May Be Illegal Governor's Feather May Be Illegal .c The Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) - Gov. Gray Davis received an eagle feather from a tribal representative last week, but it may be illegal for him to keep it, the Los Angeles Times reported today. It's one of the highest honors among American Indians to be presented with an eagle feather since the plume symbolizes success and spiritual power. But unless a person has a government permit to possess eagle parts, it's a misdemeanor punishable by six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. Indians are issued such permits to use eagle parts in religious ceremonies. ``It's in his office,'' Davis spokesman Michael Bustamente said Wednesday. ``As I understand it, it is a very high privilege.'' A California Department of Fish and Game spokesman told the newspaper that a person ``can't possess any raptor feather under state or federal law.'' But the unidentified spokesman said there is an exemption that allows the state to own eagle feathers. Since Davis is the state's governor, the spokesman suggested, it may be legal for Davis to retain the feather. Bustamente told the paper that Davis accepted the feather on behalf of the state, not himself. The governor's lawyers are looking at obtaining the necessary permits, he said. Davis was presented the feather by Mark Nichols, chief executive of the Cabazon band of Mission Indians, during negotiations on the issue of gambling on Indian reservations. Pat Schoonover, director of legal affairs for the Cabazon band, said the tribe did not ``give'' the feather to Davis, but he was ``entrusted'' with it. He said Indians believe no one can own an animal, expect for the creator. Californians had approved a voter initiative to expand Indian gambling, but the state Supreme Court last month invalidated the measure. The tribes have until early October to reach an agreement with Davis to avoid having thousands of video slot machines shut down by federal authorities. AP-NY-09-09-99 1005EDT Copyright 1999 The Associated Press. Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ UPDATES: CAMP JUSTICE http://shell.webbernet.net/~ishgooda/oglala/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
