Their oral traditions tell them they have been here since the beginning of time, although their description of 'here' is vague. These ancient human remains, many thousands of years old, are included with remains that are a few hundred years old. All will be reburied. This evidence of the past belongs to the world. The story of human migration into the continents of North and South America is of interest to people far beyond the political boundaries of a tribe, state, or even our nation.
All people have a right to understand and explore many world views of the past.
Across our nation, the ancient past is threatened by the simple, but unfounded assumption that all people living here before white contact are related to modern day American Indians. This assumption also includes the notion that modern day tribes have not moved from their current location in thousands of years. Simple explanations of the past do not adequately address the complexities that are suggested by the evidence at hand. One culturally unaffiliated ancient skeleton after another is targeted for reburial and the treasure of knowledge each holds about the past will be lost forever. The fate of the most publicized ancient skeleton, Kennewick Man, has not yet been determined by a federal court.