District judge rules for Native religious rights in eagle case

[Waya]

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Saying the federal government pays no more than lip service to respecting the religious beliefs of American Indians, a federal judge in Wyoming has dismissed criminal charges against a Northern Arapaho man who shot a bald eagle last year for use in his tribe's Sun Dance.

Lawyers for Indian groups say the order by U.S. District Judge William Downes should prompt the federal government to streamline its program of parceling out dead eagles and eagle feathers to Indians.

They say it also should prompt federal officials to begin a serious dialogue with tribes about allowing tribal members to kill some eagles for religious purposes.

Federal officials, however, filed notice in November that they intend to appeal the judge's order.

Downes on Oct. 13 dismissed the charge against Winslow Friday, 22, of Ethete, Wyo., on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The reservation is home to both the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes. He had been charged with killing a bald eagle with a rifle in March 2005.


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