Native American Rights

RE: NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS--RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND RACIAL EQUALITY IN FEDERAL WILDLIFE LAWS.

A petition to remove ethnic preferences from Title 50 Part 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 22) and other federal wildlife laws; to remove Certification of Enrollment from 50 CFR 22 and eagle permit applications; and to require a Certification of Religious Participation signed by either a tribal member or a religious or spiritual leader to certify that an applicant is an authorized participant of a bona fide Indian tribal or religious custom; to provide equal protection, access to and possession of raptors; and to change eagle permit applications, procedures, and raptor distribution in keeping with the same.

We believe that religious freedom should not be based on ethnicity and that all citizens deserve equal protection under the law; the United States should not prevent Native American tribes or their members (here referred to as Native Americans) from welcoming or allowing non-Native Americans or non-tribal members to participate in their cultural or religious practices; the right to give away raptors to non-tribal individuals should not be infringed upon; citizens should not be arrested or punished for practicing or participating in Native American cultural or religious practices involving raptors. In historic and modern times, Native Americans have adopted and welcomed non-tribal members and non-Native Americans into their cultural and religious practices that have included the possession and use of raptors. We believe the United States of America has a compelling interest to protect Native American cultures and religions and their customs, and that such customs include allowing non-tribal individuals to acquire and possess raptors. We believe that the least restrictive means of acting in accordance with the U.S. Constitution is to remove racial requirements from federal laws and ensuring that all citizens, Native American and non-Native American alike, be afforded equal protection, access to and possession of raptors.

We respectfully request that you, our elected representative, act in accordance with the U.S. Constitution to make such amendments to federal laws immediately. We feel it is our patriotic duty to request such action from you in order to realize a truly free and democratic society.