The Audubon Society of Rhode Island presented three eagle feathers, one each to the Pokanoket, the Nipmuc and the Mashapaug Nahaganset Tribes at a ceremony at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol, RI on December 19, 2022. Richard Staples presented one feather to each of the three Nations. The Audubon Society hosted the event because of Richard’s relationship with the organization. Click here for a 14-minute video of the event.

(Above) Mashapaug Nahaganset Sachem Raymond “Two Hawks” Watson describes the importance of eagle feathers to the tribes as Pokanoket Sagamore William “Winds of Thunder” Guy reads a message about south county from the Wabbaquasset Nipmuc Tribe to Audubon volunteer Richard Staples and Audubon Executive Director Jeffrey Hall.

(Above) Sagamore Winds of Thunder listens as Sachem Two Hawks prepares to accept the eagle feather donation by offering a prayer to the four directions as his son, Asher “Bear Paw” Watson, listens.

(Above) Audubon Volunteer Richard Staples describes where he found the eagle feathers near his home where he often photographs eagles before he and Audubon Executive Director Jeffrey Hall offered feathers to the tribes.