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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE EAGLE STAFF AS THE FIRST FLAG OF THE AMERICAS
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; and
WHEREAS, today the Eagle Staff is used to represent tribal communities, Native American and First Nation organizations, or a member of an honor society or service veterans; 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 is a proud legacy of the Native American people and is the embodiment of the warrior and of enduring fortitude, which together have enable 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, and 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 and 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 formerly recognized by all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Department of National Defense; and
WHEREAS, The Eagle Staff is recognized and honored by the National Congress of American Indians, the State of Illinois, 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; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioner recognizes the Eagle Staff as the first flag of the sovereign Native American tribal nations and the First Nations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners renews its 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 Cook County Board of Commissioners is committed to inclusiveness for all Native Americans, the traditions and symbolism of the Eagle Staff; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners encourages all Cook County departments to incorporate these principles into the policies and practices.
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