Graves Protection and Repatriation

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Oneida Burial Ordinance Draft, 1989

Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin

This two-page typed document is a draft of an Oneida Burial Ordinance adopted by the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin on May 19, 1989. It outlines rules to govern the burial of Oneida Indians on the Oneida Indian Reservation. This document calls for the creation of a Tribal Cemetery and a Cemetery Board, noting that non-Oneida spouses and children may be buried in the same cemetery. Notes for improvement of the ordinance are included at the top of the draft.
Reburial Committee Schedule and Fact Sheet for Ancestor Days, May 26, 1988

Reburial Committee

This four-page typed document from the Reburial Committee provides a schedule for Ancestor Days, held May 26th to May 30th, 1988. It includes a photograph of an aerial view of the Slack Farm site of Indian grave looting as well as a list of quotations describing the scale of vandalism at the site. A fact sheet provides information about the destruction and recent legislation related to grave desecration.
Letter from Tomah to John Thomas, April 15, 1988

Tomah

This single-page typed letter from Tomah to John Thomas was sent on April 15, 1988. Tomah states that he would like to participate in the Kentucky reburial efforts, offering whatever help he is able to provide. He also notes his involvement with a newsletter that helps tribal people reconnect with their heritage.
Letter from Max Gail to the Reburial Committee, March 10, 1988

Max Gail

This two-page typed copy of a letter from Max Gail was sent to the Reburial Committee on March 10, 1988. Gail expresses regret that he is unable to travel to Kentucky to provide support to reburial efforts following the mass desecration of Indian graves in the state. He encourages people to embrace fundamental human respect and decency to raise consciousness of Indian affairs.
Letter from Frank McCloskey to Morris K. Udall, February 18, 1988

Frank McCloskey

This one-page typed letter from Representative Frank McCloskey to Morris K. Udall, Chairman of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, was sent on February 18, 1988. McCloskey writes about arrests related to the desecration of approximately one thousand Indian graves in Union County, Kentucky. He feels Congress should take action to prevent further incidents and provides news materials for Udall to review.
Letter of Agreement Regarding Vandalism at the Slack Farm Site, February 4, 1988

David L. Morgan

This two-page typed letter of agreement between the Kentucky Heritage Council, the State Medical Examiners Office, Oklahoma Shawnee representative, archeologists and the University of Kentucky outlines processes and procedures to be followed concerning the desecrated Indian graves at the Slack Farm site in Union County, Kentucky. Clauses within the agreement detail how the site will be documented and what will happen to recovered human remains and cultural materials.
Letter from Kathy and Art Gerber to Collectors, 1988

Kathy Gerber and Art Gerber

This copy of a one-page typed letter from Indian artifact collectors Kathy and Art Gerber was sent to fellow hobbyists circa February 1988. The letter urges friends to contact Kentucky state representatives in order to prevent passage of Senate Bill 178 and House Bill 493, which will classify excavation of archeological sites and prehistoric burial sites as Class D felonies.
Citizens Against Desecration Day Proclamation, February 1, 1988

William C. Villines

This one-page typed document is a declaration by William C. Villines, Mayor of the City of Providence, Kentucky. He proclaims that February 3rd, 1988, is Citizens Against Desecration Day. The proclamation recognizes the leadership and support for those who are involved.
Emergency Desecration Act of the General Assembly of Kentucky

General Assembly

This three-page typed document, circa 1988, is an Act by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky regarding grave desecration. The Act has four sections; the first section labels the intentional excavation of human remains as a first-degree offense. Section two classifies offenses related to the desecration of venerated objects. Section three classifies the abuse of a corpse as a class D felony. Section four contextualizes the revised penalties and emergency nature of the Act in relation to ongoing grave robberies in Kentucky.
Draft Letter from Dennis Banks and John Thomas to “A Sense of the Sacred” Project Team

Dennis Banks and John Thomas

This two-page typed draft letter from Dennis Banks and John Thomas to "A Sense of the Sacred" Project Team was created circa 1988. The letter concerns a documentary project on the Indian grave desecrations in Union County, Kentucky. Banks and Thomas agree to work cooperatively and give priority access to the documentary crew for interviews and other events, but note that some rituals and individuals should not be photographed.
Citizens Against Desecration Form Letter, 1988

Dennis Banks, William Thomas, and Chico Dulak

This one-page typed photocopied form letter from Citizens Against Desecration was created in 1988 to inform residents about the desecration of American Indian burial grounds in Union County, Kentucky. The letter provides details about the planned five-day reburial ceremony (the largest ever conducted in North America) including tobacco burning, prayers, songs and fasting. The letter requests financial help to cover food, transportation and lodging costs for those expected to attend.
Decker Cave Action Plan, March 23, 1987

Walter E. Allen

This 20-page typed document consists of an action plan sent to District Ranger John Tharp from archeologist Walter E. Allen on March 23, 1987 as well as supplementary materials about Decker Cave. The plan details the history of vandalism and pothunting at the site, including the disturbance of American Indian burials. It also explores the potential for further archeological exploration of the cave in coordination with concerned American Indian groups and provides a plan to deter additional looting of the site. Supplemental materials include a discussion with the University of Missouri Archeological Department, a review of literature, and maps of the area.
Letter from Suzan Shown Harjo to Thomas King, August 12, 1985

Suzan Shown Harjo

This typed letter from Suzan Shown Harjo, Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians, was sent to Dr. Thomas King, Director of Resource Preservation for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, on August 12, 1985. Harjo praises the new draft Guidelines for the Consideration of Traditional Cultural Values in Historic Preservation Review because they promote active consultation with American Indians before grave sites are disturbed and favor reburial of remains over perceived scientific value. She contrasts the draft Guidelines with those of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which heavily favor the self-interests of archeologists and anthropologists.
Draft Guidelines for Consideration of Traditional Cultural Values in Historic Preservation Review

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

This 21-page typed document is a draft of Guidelines for the Consideration of Traditional Cultural Values in Historic Preservation Review, dated August 1, 1985. The document outlines the Historic Preservation Advisory Council's policies and procedures concerning project planning for historic properties, taking into account the traditional cultural values that may be impacted by such projects. It provides background on the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and contains an appendix dealing with the treatment of human remains.
Resolution of the Navajo Tribal Council: Administration and Maintenance of Cemeteries and Burial in Navajo Cemeteries, February 12, 1958

Paul Jones

This three-page typed document is a resolution of the Navajo Tribal Council on Administration and Maintenance of Cemeteries and Burial in Navajo Cemeteries approved on February 12, 1958. It addresses issues such as overcrowding and who is allowed to be buried within Navajo cemeteries. An advisory committee was created to designate sites for cemeteries and provide for their beautification and safeguarding.