Boozhu,
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan has sought the disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains and associated funerary objects from the University of Michigan’s Museum of Anthropology and other museums nationally in good faith. In conjunction with the Michigan Anishinaabek Cultural Preservation and Repatriation Alliance (MACPRA), the care and treatment of our ancestors and their objects at the university has been our utmost priority.
With recent amendments to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), specifically Section 10.11, MACPRA has initiated the process with the University of Michigan for the return of our ancestors and their objects and has set the tone for all tribes nationally. Fortunately, the United States Department of the Interior’s leadership was unanimous in moving for the final rule, and positive change was occurring at the federal executive level.
The university and museum have accepted the responsibility of working collaboratively with the tribes according to the new regulations. The Advisory Committee on Culturally Unidentifiable Human Remains, under NAGPRA, committed to working with tribal representation in a productive manner that did not undermine the ideals of the university, museum or tribal communities. Notably, as of December 29, 2011, the National NAGPRA Office’s Notice of Inventory Completion for the Mackinac County site collections-Juntunen (20.0221), Arrowhead Drive (20.2095), and Saint Ignace (20.2054), reflected in the Federal Register, Vol. 76, No. 229, passed its 30-day contestation period without a competing claim.
However, we understand that some challenges still remain. Tribes must confront the issue of ancestral remains and associated funerary objects staying buried and protected in perpetuity. For that reason, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan set aside 2 acres on the Isabella Reservation (Federal Trust Land) for the dedication of the Nibokaan Cemetery in 1995. This cemetery was established for the sole purpose of ancestral reburials.
As a Federally-recognized tribe and founding member of MACPRA, we assert our sovereign rights under NAGPRA. It is our position to stand firm with respect to the final burial location of our ancestors and their associated funerary objects. In that respect, we strongly oppose the reburial of the Juntunen (20.0221), Arrowhead Drive (20.2095), and Saint Ignace (20.2054) culturally unidentifiable human remains and their associated funerary objects on State Land, specifically St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery on Mackinac Island.
Further, we feel that the Authorized Transfer Recipients, Ms. Paula Carrick, Ms. Veronica Pasfield, Ms. Wanda Perron, Mr. Justin Teeple and Mr. Michael Willis from the Bay Mills Indian Community, Mr. Wesley Andrews from the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and Mr. Cecil Pavlat, Sr. from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, did not provide the other 10 tribes, who also acknowledge these ancestors as their own, with transparent communication or adequate consultation in determining the dates for reintegration, transfer and reburial. The aforementioned Authorized Transfer Recipients diminish this historical and momentous occasion by giving the tribes a 2-day notice for the ancestral activities to take place in Ann Arbor on July 21, 2012 and Mackinac Island on July 25, 2012. These decisions were made by the Authorized Transfer Recipients with no regard for the other Tribal Chiefs, council members, elders, youth and tribal representatives who may have wanted to attend these ancestral events, as there would be little to no time to make the necessary arrangements with family, work and travel.
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan remains hopeful that the Michigan tribes will continue working with the U-M and museums nationally to repatriate and dispossess all human remains and associated funerary objects from NAGPRA collections. We remain vigilant that positive change is occurring by providing a voice for those who no longer can speak and restoring basic human dignity. However, we must do this work together and we must do this work respectfully. The spiritual well-being of our communities depends upon it, so that we may heal from these injustices and provide hope for our children and grandchildren.
Sincerely,
Dennis V. Kequom, Sr., Tribal Chief
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan