Eagle Feather Information
Honouring Migizi – The Bald Eagle
Known to the Anishinaabe people as Migizi and to the Haudenosaunee as Skatsiera ak:waks, Bald Eagles have long been a respected presence at your Toronto Zoo’s Canadian Domain and, more recently, in the Tundra Trek biome.
We are honoured to be Guardians of Bald Eagles, providing the birds in our care with the best lives possible while also supporting efforts to protect their relations in the wild.
In caring for Migizi Arya & Migizi Wambley, one of the many responsibilities of Wildlife Care staff is maintaining their habitats. Any feathers that are naturally shed are respectfully collected by staff and brought to the care of Toronto Zoo Indigenous Relations staff.
These feathers are then cleaned, stored, and prepared until the Spirit of those feathers is ready to be bundled and gifted to community, where they will continue their work in accordance with Traditional Teachings.
What Does This Mean?
Rooted in Teachings and Traditional Protocols gifted to Indigenous Relations staff by First Nations Elders & Knowledge Sharers, the Toronto Zoo recognizes that it is not our place to decide who may receive eagle feathers.
Instead, we honour the First Nations communities whose Traditional Territories encompass the land on which your Toronto Zoo is located.
Annual Feather Gifting Ceremony
As part of our commitment to Truth & Reconciliation and fostering meaningful relationships with these First Nations communities, an annual feather gifting ceremony was initiated in Fall 2024.
Each year, a bundle of Migizi Miigwaanag – Bald Eagle feathers will be gifted to representatives of these First Nations, acknowledging:
- The stewardship and care First Nations have given to this land since time immemorial.
- Our Zoo’s ongoing commitment to working in a good way with Indigenous communities.
- A shared responsibility to fight climate change and species extinction.
Feather Inquiries
Respecting the Sacred Nature of Eagle Feathers
Eagle feathers hold great spiritual and cultural significance. To ensure they are always treated with the respect and reverence they deserve, we encourage those seeking eagle feathers from our birds to connect directly with the First Nations communities who receive their annual bundle.
These communities are:
- Alderville First Nation
- Beausoleil First Nation
- Curve Lake First Nation
- Georgina Island First Nation
- Hiawatha First Nation
- Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
- Rama First Nation
- Scugog Island First Nation
- Six Nations of the Grand River
We trust that these communities will follow their own protocols regarding feather distribution and use.
Additional Feathers for Indigenous Partner Organizations
While the majority of our Bald Eagle feathers are gifted annually to First Nations communities, we recognize that some Indigenous partner organizations may also require feathers for ceremonial or cultural purposes.
Some Indigenous partner organizations work closely with Knowledge Carriers and Elders to prepare and gift eagle feathers. These feathers are often given in recognition of achievements such as graduations or other significant milestones within their communities.
Additionally, we reserve a small number of feathers to be gifted to First Nations and Indigenous communities that partner with us in conservation efforts.
These additional allocations ensure that our partnerships remain strong and supportive while upholding the deep cultural respect associated with eagle feathers.
