The Eagle Staff represents the stature and honor of a particular tribe or tribes. It commonly looks like a shepherd’s staff and is wrapped in either otter skin or buffalo skin, and exhibits eagle feathers (mainly tail feathers from a golden eagle) that indicate the Akicita honor of that tribe. Akicita is a Lakota language word for a warrior or leader who has earned distinction through service to the tribe in combat or some other fashion. In the olden days, it was used to also describe a policeman figure amongst the plains tribes. Today, it is used to describe a member of an honor society, or a service veteran. The Eagle Staff is always presented ahead of any other flag, and is more important and meaningful. It was the indicator of a tribe’s accomplishments in battle and the integrity and honor of its people.

Have a question for Sonny? Send it to with the subject line “Ask N NDN” and we’ll see that it’s answered.