IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 83 Expressing the Sense of Congress that the Eagle Staff shall be recognized as the first flag of the sovereign Native American tribal nations and the first flag of the Americas, and to encourage programs promoting the cultural significance of the Eagle Staff. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 28, 2019 Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Expressing the Sense of Congress that the Eagle Staff shall be recognized as the first flag of the sovereign Native American tribal nations and the first flag of the Amer- icas, and to encourage programs promoting the cultural significance of the Eagle Staff. Whereas the Eagle Staff, considered the first flag of the Americas, represents the stature and honor of a par- ticular Native American tribe or tribes; it commonly looks like a shepherd’s staff, wrapped in either otter skin or buffalo skin, and featuring eagle feathers; pre-dating col- onization, the Eagle Staff was the indicator of the tribe’s accomplishments in battle and the integrity and honor of its people; today, it is used to represent tribal commu- VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Jan 30, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR83.IH HR83 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 83 IH nities, Native American and First Nation organizations, or a member of an honor society or a service veteran; Whereas the Eagle Staff represents tribal sovereignty, unity, and tradition, and reflects the honor bestowed upon the individual, tribal organization, or tribal elder, the Eagle Staff is typically carried by Native American veterans of the United States Armed Forces; Native Americans have served in greater numbers per capita than any other eth- nicity across all branches of the military; Whereas the Eagle Staff is a proud legacy of the Native American people, it is the embodiment of the warrior of enduring fortitude which together have enabled the tribes to survive policies intended to extinguish their race and culture; Whereas the Eagle Staff is adorned with eagle feathers sym- bolizing the remembrance of fallen warriors; because ea- gles and eagle features are highly revered and federally protected, only a few Federal agencies and enrolled Na- tive people may carry them; the eagle feather is the high- est award that can be given by a tribe to its people; Whereas the Eagle Staff is recognized by all Native American Tribes, First Nations, and other Native American organi- zations, the Eagle Staff is welcomed into all communities, including Native American and First Nation commu- nities, with a flag song or victory song; Whereas the Eagle Staff is formally recognized by all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Cana- dian Department of National Defence; Whereas the Eagle Staff is recognized and honored by the national Congress of American Indians; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Jan 30, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR83.IH HR83 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 83 IH Whereas the Eagle Staff is recognized by the Trickster Art Gallery, a Native American art gallery and museum in Schaumburg, Illinois: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep- 1 resentatives that— 2 (1) we recognize the Eagle Staff as the first 3 flag of the sovereign Native American tribal nations 4 and the First Nations; 5 (2) we renew our commitment to cooperate with 6 tribes, intergovernmental tribes, and Native Amer- 7 ican organizations, including Native American Vet- 8 erans organizations to encourage programs pro- 9 moting cultural education of the significance of the 10 Eagle Staff; and 11 (3) the United States is committed to inclusive- 12 ness for all Native Americans, the traditions and 13 symbolism of the Eagle Staff, and that we encourage 14 all units of the United States Government to incor- 15 porate these principles into their policies and prac- 16 tices. 17 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:49 Jan 30, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR83.IH HR83 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS