The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan held its 10th annual Eagle Honoring event on Thursday.

Beatrice Jackson, a member of the Eagle Clan, explained why the bald eagle is sacred to the tribe. "The feathers are sacred because the bald eagle flies closest to the creator and carries our prayers,” she said at the ceremony, Central Michigan Life reported.

Only Eagle Clan members and combat veterans can handle feathers. “A lot of these feathers have a lot of stories,” Jackson said, the paper reported.

The tribe is hosting an eagle feather feast today to conclude this year's Eagle Honoring.

Get the Story:
Sacred eagle feathers celebrated for tribal significance (Central Michigan Life 10/19)

Relevant Documents:
Memorandum: Possession or Use of the Feathers or Other Parts of Federally Protected Birds for Tribal Cultural and Religious Purposes (October 12, 2012)

Related Stories:
Blog: New DOJ policy won't change long wait for eagle feathers (10/18)
Justice Department announces policy on use of eagle feathers (10/12)