NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BEAD SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 21 8 p.m.
HOLIDAY INN, EMERYVILLE
(just north of the Bay Bridge on Highway 880)
Lientenant (sp?) Miles Young, Calif. State Dept. of Fish & Game
and
Herb Roche; U.S. Department of Wildlife
Present
FEATHERS AND BONES
Feathers, bones, quills, teeth, fur, and other objects from "possibly
endangered species" are protected by laws regulating their acquisition,
use, and sale. The presentation will cover these laws and the impact on
the ecology of the collection of these materials, as well as a discussion
on how to know if the materials have been legally obtained. A question
period will follow..
O.K., now lets move on the the editorial comments, without the use of
profane language. When this law first passed, friends at Rising Arrow in
Sunnyvale had a couple of "agents" come through and tell them they can't
sell quills anymore, antlers, bones, dew claws (from deer), elk teeth,
etc., and of course, even getting your supplies from road kills in our
state is Illegal.... gotta protect those dead porkys from dismemberment,
etc. Basically any part of an animal native to California. Yes, we all
know porcupines are endangered and have hundreds of natural enemies ...The
official line is "anyone caught with these items, or trying to sell these
items will have their work/shop/etc. confiscated... (bleep @!#1 bleep).
O.K.
Another member on the Net says "sounds like racism" .... no kidding, since
we're the ones who often make a good portion of their living from selling
things made of fur, quills, teeth, feathers, etc... Yet in my determination
not to get PARANOID for the 1992 garbage, I'm trying not to ASSUME it was
aimed at the Keepers of the Earth, and subsequently call every media rep
possible ... If any of you have personal friends in AIM, I wish we could
channel some of their energy into an attach on the Fish & Game and/or the
Dept. of Wildlife. So, where do we go from here? Rather than grumble,
swear and get depressed, I'm urging ANYONE & everyone come to this meeting,
who is able, and especially any who would be economically or even just
emotionally effected by this over-kill law aimed at protecting eagles and
hawks. Usually there is a $2 visitor /guest fee at their meetings, but I
have called a Bead Society official so see if they could/would waive the
fee for Native Americans who might come, on the basis that it is a public
service to get the truth out to them, and the reality of the lives of those
of us who "make things" can be an education for the Fish & Game, etc. That
doesn't mean just you beaders, it also affects those who BUY things made at
PowWows. Questions? Call the Orb Weaver in Oakland during "normal
Business hours" at 510/ 658-9452. This MIGHT be no more than a recording
telling you to call their other number (which is unlisted) since I called
after hours, so if you prefer I can be called for information in the
evenings: 415/ 321-1075. I will try to have "cost information" and other
pertinent details by tomorrow night.
Another friend I just talked to on the phone further north said he just
heard from a friend who makes things from antlers that you can bring in
"legally collected" antlers from out of stage and sell them .... yet a
gathering my friend just came from in Crescent City told some vendors to
put their stuff away -- they didn't try to confiscate, they just told some
people they couldn't sell the stuff, yet the Fish & Game didn't bother my
friends. He also said that her heard that porky quills are no longer on
the "illegal list" ... seems they figured out that there is NO WAY they
will end up endangered.
Thats more than enough, I think. Questions?
Lyn Dearborn 415/ 321-1075