Iowa Tribe's Second Rehabilitated Eagle Released
On Sunday, February 24, 2008, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma (near Perkins in northern central Oklahoma) released a second bald
eagle that was rehabilitated by the tribe. The 4 1/2 year Southern Bald eagle was found shot late last year, was treated at
the tribe's eagle aviary known as the Bah Kho-je Xla Chi (Grey Snow Eagle House). The aviary was made possible due to a 2004
Tribal Wildlife Grant. On January 12, 2006, the tribe dedicated their eagle facility.
The Grey Snow Eagle House was completed in January 2006 and has rehabilitated and released two eagle. The aviary is home to
five non-releasable bald and golden eagles, which are used for educational programs. The aviary is open for tours if arranged
in advance, and many school groups have had the unforgettable experience of being in a flight cage with real eagles.
The eagle rehabilitation program also provides feathers for native dancers and for ceremonies. "There are many ceremonies that
require feathers from a live eagle, and we cannot be sure the feathers that come from the federal government's collection will
be available to the tribes," Roubidoux said. "After our eagles molt, we collect the feathers, and we can give them to our
members with the assurance that they come from living birds." Roubidoux also said the Iowa Tribe has a deeply spiritual reason
for saving these magnificent birds.
"We believe that the eagle is the only creature who has actually seen the face of the Creator," he says. "If we can heal the
injured eagles, rehabilitate them and release them back into the wild, perhaps they will tell the Creator what we have done
and he will bring good fortune to the Iowa Tribe." For Roubidoux, there can be no higher purpose. For information on visiting
the Grey Snow Eagle House, go online to the Iowa Tribe's Web site at
www.iowanation.org.
Special Showing of
Lost Nation: The Ioway
Save the Date: Saturday March 29, 2008
At Perkins-Tryong High School Gymnasium
| 6:00pm |
Refreshments |
| 6:30pm |
Special presentation to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma |
| 7:00pm |
Documentary showing |
| 9:00pm |
Panel discussion |
| 9:30pm |
End of program |
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