A 23-year-old member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming says his religious freedom rights are being violated by the federal government.
Winslow Friday admitted he killed a bald eagle on the Wind River Reservation to use in the Sun Dance.
He says he didn't know that he could apply for a permit, though the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rarely grants them.
The government says Friday can't claim ignorance of the law. Eagle feathers and parts can also be obtained from the National Eagle Repository but that process can take years.
"That's unacceptable," Nelson P. White, an Arapaho business council member, told the Associated Press. "How would a non-Indian feel if they had to get their Bible from a repository?"
A federal judge threw out the charges against Friday, saying the process violating his religious rights.
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case in Denver yesterday.
Get the Story:Appeals court hears case involving shooting of bald eagle (AP 12/18) Lower Court Decision:
US v. Friday (October 16, 2006) 10th Circuit Briefs:
US Opening Brief | Friday Response Brief | US Reply Brief Relevant Links:
Northern Arapaho Tribe - http://www.northernarapaho.com
National Eagle Repository - http://www.r6.fws.gov/law/le65.html Related Stories:
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