What are your thoughts on NAGPRA?

Question

NAGPRA has been the center of debate for many issues. I am familiar with both sides of the argument and have my opinions, but want some supporting details of your thoughts on whatever side of the debate you stand.

If you do not know about NAGPRA, I encourgae you to research it. Otherwise this question is for serious comments only.

I personally oppose the legistation.
1) Because it is discriminatory and works only for select special interest groups.

2) It is near impossible to enforce legitimately. I mean, in most cases remains are turned over to the first group that will claim them when the law clearly stses that proof of lineage is required. In most cases you cannot legitimately support your claim. It is like turning over the remains of a Catholic to the Jewish community for reburial simply because they have the same God.

3) In cases such as Kennewick Man, a skeleton dated 9,000 years old, five tribes made claim to his remains. How do you determine lineage on remains that old? More importantly why should NAGPRA impede the study of such remains that will benefit the knowledge of everyone?

Answer 1

I am strongly in favor of NAGPRA. I'm an attorney and all of my employees are Native Americans. One of my employees in particular has been active in bringing the bodies of his ancestors home to be buried on tribal land. I represent 10 Native groups and the Pueblo people in my state are more active in NAGPRA than the Navajos or Apaches for some reason. I would certainly--as an Anglo--be very upset to find the bodies of my ancestors displayed in a museum and I have seen Native bodies displayed in my state and in others until NAGPRO became active. The bodies have little scientific value. Sure---examination of one body can add a bit to our historic knowledge of diet and the like, but the scientific value in multiple bodies is nil. I am further upset that precious religious relics of the Navajos and Hopis have been taken by the federal government for display. There is a great underground illegal market in the trading of this artifacts which have tremendous religious significance to the tribes. Some "art" dealers in Santa Fe have been busted for participating in this trade and some artifacts have been returned, but not enough. I support NAGPRO completely.

Answer 2

Fortunately one cannot be arrested or convicted for ones thoughts, but can write about these eccentric thoughts and be critically acclaimed. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was a great book/film.

Answer 3

Sgt, tou called me a fat pig coward hiding beind my keyboard yet your profile refuses to accept e-mail. Hey buddy, I am an honorably discharged american veteran, Navy and Marines who has come to the sad reality and truth that my nation sucks and is major evil. I live in Hemet CA, my name is Beast, you can generally find me at the Famly Sports and Fitness Gym on San Jacinto Street in the sister city San Jacinto CA or on the campus at Mount San Jacinto College monday through friday, come see me, your threats are nothing to me. Killing me will only empower me more, I personlly want to kill 99.9???% of americans and the world but instead I pray my God do it, and he does, I pray troops to die in Iraq and america to loose that war day and night, I hate my country since it joined the cowards that use torture and fights dirty, I have no respect of it, I am all the time on campus and in the authorities faces urging them to kill Bush, Cheney, THEMSELVES, here I AM, where are you? I stand in america for Al Qaeda and other terrorists, I defy the government and urge them to kill me, yes, martyr me for I hate violence and hypocisies like this nation is full of, and am tormented with desires I repent from that range from cutting your kids throats to attacking us bases for my allies , instead I just pray, and pray, and rejoice in the liitle victories God grants those fighting my evil nation America. I have no love of this country and if I could I would annihilate it, I swear.
Beast, well enough known in Hemet CA