HR0140 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0140 LRB100 10278 MST 21838 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff, considered the first flag of the Americas, represents the stature and honor of a particular 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 colonization, the Eagle Staff was the indicator of a tribe's accomplishments in battle and the integrity and honor of its people; today, it is used to represent tribal communities, Native American and First Nation organizations, or a member of an honor society or a service veteran; and

WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff represents tribal sovereignty, unity, and tradition, and reflects the honor bestowed upon an 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 ethnicity across all branches of the military; and

WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff is a proud legacy of the Native American people; it is the embodiment of the warrior and of enduring fortitude which together have enabled the tribes to survive policies intended to extinguish their race and culture; and

WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff is adorned with eagle feathers symbolizing the remembrance of fallen warriors; because eagles and eagle features are highly revered and federally protected, only a few federal agencies and enrolled native people may carry them; the eagle feather is the highest award that can be given by a tribe to its people; and

WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff is recognized by all Native American tribes, First Nations, and other Native American organizations; the Eagle Staff is welcomed into all communities, including Native American and First Nation communities, with a flag song or victory song and is always presented ahead of any other flag; and

WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff is formally recognized by all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Department of National Defence; and

WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff is recognized and honored by the National Congress of American Indians, the Illinois Secretary of State Veterans' Advisory Council, and the McCormick Foundation Veterans Program; and

WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff is honored at Chicago Blackhawks games during the playing of the National Anthem; and

WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff is recognized by the Trickster Art Gallery, a Native American art gallery and museum in Schaumburg; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the Eagle Staff as the first flag of the sovereign Native American tribal nations and the First Nations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we renew our commitment to cooperate with tribes, inter-governmental tribes, and Native American organizations, including Native American veterans organizations and the Trickster Art Gallery, to encourage programs promoting cultural education of the significance of the Eagle Staff; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State of Illinois is committed to inclusiveness for all Native Americans, the traditions and symbolism of the Eagle Staff, and that we encourage all Illinois state government departments to incorporate these principles into their policies and practices.