Hon. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Page 5 June 4, 1999 Finally, Senator, it is our Nation's belief that the re-categorization of the tribally unaffiliated remains is nothing more than an attempt to restage a public debate that the science and museum industries lost nearly a decade ago, when the hard work of a lot of people, with yourself at the helm, produced the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The continued attempts to exert control over our ancestors' remains and burial property by people who have no moral or legal claim to them is the only thing that prevents their reburial and eventual resumption of peace and rest. We sincerely believe the creation of the "new" categories of our ancient ancestors is a bold attempt to separate us from our claims to our dead and their burial property, and their significance should not be underrated or misunderstood. We feel, as a sovereign tribe, that we have the inherent right to rebury our ancestors' remains, based on our culture, history, and teachings that we feel are the original intent of NAGPRA. And anything less compromises our sovereign right to form our own decision about our history. We thank you once again, Senator Inouye, as our relative, for the opportunity to participate in these very important discussions, and we stand ready to provide further information if needed. Thank you for your participation in the April 200 Oversight hearing on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ("NAGPRA" or "Act"). Due to time constraints, the following question was not addressed at the hearing. Could you please review this question and send a written response to the Committee on Indian Affairs by Friday, June 4th? The question is as follows: ISSUE: NAGPRA REVIEW COMMITTEE CLASSIFICATION OF UNAFFILIATED REMAINS Your testimony states that the NAGPRA Review Committee has defined four distinct categories of unaffiliated remains that are not listed in the Act itself. Question: What is the significance of those definitions and what would their effect be on repatriation efforts? Please send your response to the Committee at the address below or fax your response to (202) 228-2589. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Vice Chairman U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs 838 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 I appreciate your attention to this matter. Sincerely, DANIEL K. INOLYE Vice Chairman Thank you for your April 22, 1999 letter and the enclosed copy of your letter to Chairman Tex Hall of the Three Affiliated Tribes addressing concerns he raised at the Committee's April 20 oversight hearing on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. In view of the significance of these concerns, I am taking the liberty of including your correspondence and the attached Memorandum of Understanding between the Smithsonian Institution and the Great Plains District of the Bureau of Reclamation in the printed record of the hearing. Sincerely, DANIEL K. NOUYE Vice Chairman Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History 99 APR 28 PM 1:13 Bill Billeck Repatriation Office Department of Anthropology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC 20560-0138 April 22, 1999 The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye United States Senate Washington DC 20510 Dear Senator Inouye, The attached letter was sent Chairman Tex Hall of the Three Affiliated Tribes to address concerns he raised during his testimony before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs at the Oversight Hearing on the National Implementation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The attached letter clarifies the nature of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Smithsonian Institution and the Great Plains District of the Bureau of Reclamation and we feel that we are in full compliance with the National Museum of American Indian Act. Sincerely, "Bill Bild Bill Billeck 1 |