Alaska natives and the use of migratory bird parts was the subject of a legislative hearing in the US House Thursday. KDLG's Chase Cavanaugh has more.
US Congressman Don Young spoke out in a hearing about HR 3109 Thursday. The bill, introduced by Young in September, would add a special exemption to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It would allow Alaska Natives to create crafts out of non-edible parts of protected birds, such as feathers, without citation from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Young was particularly upset over the 2012 case of a Tinglit artist who was cited for selling a mask with the feather of a dead raven. During the hearing, he scolded Fish and Wildlife Deputy Director Steve Guerin, calling the citation overzealous.
“Don’t cite anybody in my state again until we work this issue out, because if you don’t we will do it legislatively, cause this is silly. When you’re using a dead bird’s feather that has no value to anyone, to cite an individual citizen of my state, especially when they have cultural background. That’s what I want you guys to start thinking about. You’re not God, for god’s sake.”
The artist ultimately settled with the Department for a sum of several thousand dollars. Young said HR 3109 would help clear up these ambiguities and allow Alaska natives to continue their traditional cultural practices.