Re: Kennewick Man

[lause@xxxxxxx]

I suspect litmus tests belong in the same category as "decisive battles" or the
"great man" school of history. Realities are more complex.  In any event, the
equation of reporting exposed skeletal remains on a riverbank with "grave
robbing" is a bit far fetched.

There is no question in my mind that the native peoples have every right to the
remains of Kennewick man under the law--the law that we all suspect might be
less than some mandate of Heaven imposed from outside of existing social
relations.  As to what disposition the indigenous people chose to make of those
remains is a different matter.

As with the discovery of the African burying grounds in New York City, Kennewick
Man might have provided greater political--and economic--leverage than simple
reburial.  Insist that the remains only be studied by native people--and make
the cheap bastards who run the state cough up the money to train the scientists,
build a museum, etc., etc., etc.

Certainly--again--it is the choice of the Indian people there to make these
determinations, but I'd urge them to consider all of their options in making
those decisions.

Best,
Mark L.

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