Traditionally, a person earns the Eagle feather through enormous acts of courage, understanding, or generosity. The Lesson of the Eagle There are certain animals, birds, and water beings that are referred to in Native American stories. Probably none of them have been as honored as the bald eagle. To Native Americans, it is considered as possibly the most sacred bird. The turtles of the sea and land also seem to have special significance in stories.
Cherokee stories relate to the turtle as having a special purpose since the beginning of time.
The turtle shells were worn by the Cherokee female dancers in earlier Green Corn ceremonies and today in Stomp Dancers and pow-wows. The importance of the Eagle Dancers among the Cherokee and the use of eagle feathers by other Native Americans today attest to the honor given to the eagle. The Eagle Dance among the Cherokee represents a strength and power to be honored. Unfortunately, while tens of thousands of eagles were once in North America, they now are rarely seen. In the 200 years since the bald eagle became our symbol of strength and freedom, its numbers have suffered a great decline.