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Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Bald eagle's new status as the official U.S. bird brings pride and hope to many Native Americans
PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY, Minn. — Some Native Americans traditionally bestow bald eagle feathers at ceremonies to mark achievements, such as graduations, and as a form of reverence for the bird they hold sacred as a messenger to the Creator. This year, many are doing so with elevated pride and hope. The bald eagle is now the official bird of the United States, nearly 250 years after it was first used as a symbol of the newly founded nation that's deeply polarized politically today. 'The eagle is finally getting the respect it deserves. Maybe when the nation looks at the eagle that way, maybe there will be less division,' said Jim Thunder Hawk. He's the Dakota culture and language manager for the Prairie Island Indian Community, a small Mdewakanton Sioux band on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minnesota. This wide, unruffled stretch of water framed by wooded bluffs is prime bald eagle territory. The size of Minnesota's population of the majestic, white-head-and-tail birds that are exclusive to North America is second only to that of Alaska. The legislation that made the eagle official came from members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation. The federal act recognizes the eagles' centrality in most Indigenous peoples' 'spiritual lives and sacred belief systems,' and a replica of it is on display at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota, 40 miles downriver from the Prairie Island community, which partners with the center in eagle care. 'If you grew up in the United States, eagles were a part of your everyday life,' said Tiffany Ploehn, who as the center's avian care director supervises its four resident bald eagles. 'Everyone has some sort of connection.' A bald eagle, its wings and talons spread wide, has graced the Great Seal of the United States since 1782, and appears on passport covers, the $1 bill, military insignia, and myriad different images in pop culture. But a prolific collector of eagle memorabilia based in Wabasha realized recently that, while the United States had an official animal (the bison) and flower (the rose), the eagle was getting no formal credit. Several Minnesota legislators sponsored a bill to remedy that and then-President Joe Biden's signature made it official in December. With their massive wingspan and stern curved beak, bald eagles are widely used as symbols of strength and power. In reality, they spend 95% of their day perched high in trees, though when they hunt they can spot a rabbit 3 miles away, Ploehn said. For many Native Americans, the soaring eagle represents far more; it delivers their prayers to the Creator and even intercedes on their behalf. 'My grandma told me that we honor eagles because they saved the Ojibwe people when the Creator wanted to turn on them. The eagle, he can fly high, so he went to speak with the Creator to make things right,' said Sadie Erickson, who is Ojibwe and Mdewakanton Sioux. Erickson and a dozen other high school graduates received a bald eagle feather at an early July celebration by the riverbank at Prairie Island. Thunder Hawk said a prayer in the Dakota language urging the high school graduates and graduates receiving higher education degrees to 'always remember who you are and where you come from.' Then they lined up and a relative tied a feather — traditionally on the left side, the heart's side — as tribal members sang and drummed to celebrate them. 'It just feels like I went through a new step of life,' said Jayvionna Buck. Growing up on Prairie Island, she recalled her mother excitedly pointing out every eagle. 'She would genuinely just yell at me, 'Eagle!' But it's just a special occurrence for us to see,' Buck said. 'We love seeing it, and normally when we do, we just offer tobacco to show our respects.' Some Native Americans honor the eagle by taking it as their ceremonial name. Derek Walking Eagle, whose Lakota name is 'Eagle Thunder,' celebrated the graduates wearing a woven medallion representing the bird. To him, eagles are like relatives that connect him to his future and afterlife. 'Being able to carry on to the spirit world … that's who guides you. It's the eagle,' Walking Eagle said. That deep respect attaches to the feathers, too. 'It's the highest respect you can bestow on a person, from your family and from your people, from your tribe,' Thunder Hawk said. 'We teach the person receiving the feather that they have to honor and respect the eagle. And we tell them why.' In many Native cultures, killing an eagle is 'blasphemous,' he said. It is also a federal offense. Historically, Sioux warriors would lure an eagle with rabbit or other food, pluck a few feathers and release it, said Thunder Hawk, who grew up in South Dakota. Today, there's a nationwide program that legally distributes eagle feathers and parts exclusively to tribal members, though it's very backlogged. U.S. wildlife and tribal officials worry that killings and illegal trafficking of eagles for their feathers is on the rise, especially in the West. In Minnesota, eagles are most often harmed by road accidents and eating poison – results of shrinking wildlife habitat that brings them in closer contact with humans, said Lori Arent, interim director of the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center. The center treats about 200 injured bald eagles each year. Of those they can save, most are eventually released back into the wild. Permanently disabled birds that lose an eye or whose wings are too badly fractured to fly are cared for there or at other educational institutions like the Wabasha eagle center. The official designation could help more Americans understand how their behaviors inadvertently harm eagles, Arent said. Littering by a highway, for instance, attracts rodents that lure eagles, which then can be struck by vehicles. Fishing or hunting with tackles and ammunition containing lead exposes the eagles eating those fish or deer remains to fatal metal poisoning. Humans have lost the ability to coexist in harmony with the natural world, Thunder Hawk said, voicing a concern shared by Indigenous people from the Chilean Andes to the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. He hopes more people might now approach the eagle with the same reverence he was taught. It's what leads him to offer sage or dried red willow bark every time he spots one as a 'thank you for allowing me to see you and for you to hear my prayers and my thoughts.' Erickson, the new graduate, shares that optimism. 'I feel like that kind of shows that we're strong and united as a country,' she said by the Mississippi, her new feather nestled in her hair. Dell'Orto writes for the Associated Press.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Bald eagle's new status as the official US bird brings pride and hope to many Native Americans
PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY, Minn. — Some Native Americans traditionally bestow bald eagle feathers at ceremonies to mark achievements, such as graduations, and as a form of reverence for the bird they hold sacred as a messenger to the Creator. This year, many are doing so with elevated pride and hope. The bald eagle is now the official bird of the United States, nearly 250 years after it was first used as a symbol of the newly founded nation that's deeply polarized politically today.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
SPF For Soul To Shield Individuals From Chaos
meditation Excessive and prolonged exposure to the sun can cause our skin to burn. This is why people use sunscreen as a protective barrier for the skin. Sunscreens come in various strengths, measured as SPF - Sun Protection Factor, which enables us to enjoy the warmth of the sun while shielding ourselves from its harmful effects. If we think about our human existence, a similar parallel can be drawn. Our soul was given the gift of this human existence for a supreme purpose: to find its way back to its Source, the Creator. Although the physical world is many reflections away from the true reality, it remains a unique and precious opportunity for the soul. It is here, in this human form, that the soul has the chance to experience and reunite with God. However, the physical world also presents many hazards to the soul. Just as unprotected skin can be burned by the sun, the soul, too, can be burned by the many distractions and attractions of the environment in which we find ourselves. These distractions - on the physical, emotional and intellectual levels - draw the soul away from its divine purpose. To safeguard against these distractions and to navigate this world safely so it can make the most of the time it has in this human form, the soul needs a shield, which can be referred to as the " Soul Protection Factor ". So, what is it that troubles the soul, and how can it be protected? While the body is home to both the soul and God, it is also where the mind resides. The mind, a lover of enjoyment, and ever in pursuit of pleasure and stimulation, lures our attention - the outer expression of the soul - into the distractions of the outer world . Absorbed in satisfying physical needs, emotional desires, and intellectual pursuits, we ignore the spiritual dimension of our lives and wile away the precious time given to us. The key lies in recognising the golden opportunity of this human birth. It offers each of us the opportunity to experience God directly. Once this realisation dawns, we begin seeking ways to connect with God. The first step is spiritual awakening - an inner shift from our dreamlike state of identifying with the body and mind to recognising our true nature as spirit. Such an awakening becomes possible through the grace and guidance of a spiritual Master. By teaching us the technique of meditation, they help us embark on the inner spiritual journey . In meditation, we withdraw our attention from the distractions of the outer world and focus it within. In the stillness of the inner realms, our soul connects with the light and sound of God. As this connection deepens, the pulls and pains of this world begin to lose their hold on us. We bathe in the sunlight within that is not scorching, but gentle, loving, and calming. With this inner stability, we become oblivious to the ups and downs of life that disturb our peace and keep us from progressing Godward. Meditation, then, serves as the Soul Protection Factor, shielding our soul from the influences of the outer world that keep it from realising its goal. Authored by: Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj The Difference Between God and Soul: Bhagavad Gita Insight From Chapter 4, Verse 5
Tom's Guide
08-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Lego's getting some rare discount thanks to Prime Day — here are our favorites
Prime Day 2025 is finally here, and with it come a whole bunch of deals and rival sales as retailers compete to try and stake a claim to the contents of your wallet. Chief among them is Lego, which has launched its "Insiders Day" sale to help you add even more colorful building blocks to your collection. Any good Lego fan will know that those sets are not cheap, especially if you want the big, beautiful licensed editions. Sales are also pretty rare, especially on the biggest and grandest sets that you'll want to decorate your home with. Fortunately both Prime Day and Lego Insiders Day have knocked down the price tags on some of the best Lego sets you can buy. For instance, the Marvel Daily Bugle set is now just $279/£239 at the Lego Store for Insiders members, down from $349/£299. Meanwhile Brits can pick up Lord of the Rings Rivendell for £365 at Amazon, which is 15% less than the usual £429 price tag. Lego is also offering Insiders double reward points on select sets. How many points you get differs by region, but it's equivalent to 10% cash back. A few even offer quadruple points, which is like getting 20% back. If you're not a member of Lego Insiders, the company's in-house loyalty program, now's the time to sign up. Not only is it free to join, but you also earn reward points for every purchase you make from the Lego store or website. Points are worth roughly 5% of what you paid at normal times. You can then redeem them to earn money off future purchases, or gain access to exclusive sets and gifts in the Lego Insiders Rewards Center. Double Insiders Points on select themes @ LegoRight now Lego is offering double Insiders points on selected themes — which is the equivalent of 10% cash back. Themes included in this offer include City, Creator, Dreamzzz, Friends, Ninjago, Duplo, Minecraft, Animal Crossing, Wednesday, Wicked and Lego Classic Quadruple Insiders Points on select sets @ LegoIf you're looking to stock up on Insider's Reward points, then be sure to check out these sets offering 4x the normal number of points — equivalent to 20% cash back. There are only 5 sets in this deal, 3 of which are cars, but if you've always had an eye on the Technic Mercedes G-Wagen then now's the time to buy. Free gifts with purchase @ LegoSpend enough at lego at any given time and you'll be given some free gifts to go with it è and Insider's Day is no exception. Spend $150/!35 and you'll nab this cool African Savanah set. Meanwhile if you've also spent at least $65/£60 on City, Classic, Creator, Duplo, Friends, DreamZzz or Ninjago you'll get an iuce-pop tray that lets you make Minifigure-shaped popsicles. Save $70 on this giant 3,789 piece recreation of the Daily Bugle from Marvel's Spider-Man comics. But that's not all; this set also comes with 25 minifigures, some of which can't be found elsewhere, like Daredevil and Punisher, plus classics like Spider-Man, Doc Ok, Miles Morales, and J Jonah Jameson himself. Lego's been going all in on helping its bricks decorate your home, with artwork and flowers. The Milky Way Galaxy might be the most extravagant pieces yet. This set recreates our home galaxy in meticulous detail using over 3,000 individual pieces. And while it may be a long process, you still get an excellent piece of wall art for your home in the process. I've always had a soft spot for the real-life space sets, but the NASA Lunar Rover has always felt a little expensive to me. Fortunately it's now 30% off at Amazon, netting you the buggy (and its associated accessories) for just $153. It's also roughly the right scale the the Lego Creator Astronaut, if you want to kit out your lunar rover with some actual space explorers. If you're more of a classic Lego space fan, then the Blacktron renegade will probably help tickle your nostalgia sensors. This modern recreation of Classic Space's bad guys is a great build with 1,151 pieces, featuring the Blacktron ship itself, a buggy and three minifigures. Animal Crossing is one of the biggest new licensed sets to hit store shelves, and this one gives you the home of the series' most recognizable character — Tom Nook. There's no Timmy and Tommy, but you do get Rosie the cat and both characters' respective houses. One of the most iconic ships in the Star Wars franchise, now on sale for Amazon Prime Day. Not only does this get you a playable Star Destroyer ship, you also get Darth Vader, a handful of imperial officers and soldiers, plus the exclusive 25th anniversary Cal Kestis minifigure. Brickheadz aren't as common as they once were, but Lego is still making them. In fact, the latest batch is this 6-figure set from Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace. In it, you get Podracer Anakin, Queen Amidala, Jar Jar, Darth Maul, Qui Gon Jinn and Captain Panaka. Not all Lego has to be from big licensed brands, and the Motorised Lighthouse is a great example of what Lego can make on its own. Not only is it a great display piece by itself, but the top of the lighthouse actually lights up and spins just like the real thing. Lego and flashy cars go together really well — and for most of us it's the closest we'll get to owning such extravagant vehicles. It helps that sets like the Lamborghini Sián also look really nice, but like its real life counterpart the price can sting a bit. Fortunately it's now on sale for Lego Insiders — with over £110 off. The Great Deku Tree is a just-own for Zelda fans, and the Prime Day sales mean that the usual high price tag is now 18% lower than normal. While still a pricey set, the new £212 price tag is a lot more palatable — especially when you remember there are two possible builds. So whether you're a fan of Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild, this set is one for you. Another pricey set that is getting a rare discount for Prime Day, the Lego Rivendell set is a gorgeous recreation of Elrond's home from the Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit) movies. But with over 6,000 pieces and 15 minifigures, it's not for the faint of heart. Skeleton Crew may not have got a lot of attention, but it still gave us this excellent set — featuring one of the most interesting-looking Star Wars ships in a while. With over 1,300 pieces and five minifigures, this is definitely one to add to the collection. If you want to spruce up your home with plantlife, but can't be trusted to keep it alive, then the Lego Botanicals range is certainly the one for you. This buildable orchid is a personal favorite, since it's a lot less fussy than the real thing but looks just as nice. You can't talk about Star Wars without brining up the most iconic droid in the series — R2-D2. So iconic, in fact, that Lego can't stop making brickified versions of him. The latest version is just over 1,000 pieces, and comes with a bunch of cool, accessories for the beeping-booping droid. Plus an exclusive 25th anniversary Dark Malak minifigure.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Outrageous' Review: Frivolity and Fascism on BritBox
Creator Sarah Williams's six-part series depicts the lives of the Mitford sisters, 1930s British socialites infamous for their complicated love lives and dramatically divergent political affiliations.
