The eagle staff is a flag for the Native Americans.   It is made of wood, leather, eagle feathers, cloth, beads, sinew, and sometimes horse hair. When you go to a powwow you will notice that in the grand entry, the eagle staffs are first.

If an eagle staff fell on the ground, the natives would hold ceremonies to pick it up and pass it on to an elder or someone else responsible. If the owner of an eagle staff dies, the eagle staff will usually stay in the family. If they can't find anyone in the family, then they will give it to a person respected by the community.

Click on the top of the picture to the right to see a close up of the top of the staff.