I got level 3 leadership so i could get the rare collectable when u place chief at the top of the path.. but how does that work exactly. do u have to get the statue erected first (im working on it)

I was able to use it without the statue but for me it wasn't very effective. The first time a bunch of common collectables popped up, the 2nd time one rare one did come up but I already had it. It isn't immediate and you still have to search for them.

In all fairness, there may have been more rares come up but I have found that rares are even harder to see in VV3 than VV2 IMO. They blend much better with the background.

I've tried the Chief five times now. First two times, I don't think I searched long enough afterwards. I think it might take a few minutes after Chief is put at the top of the path? The third time I found a rare but it was one I already had. The last two times I used a new child chief and searched and searched but found nothing. Just need 1 more rare feather collectible.