Graves Protection and Repatriation

Most of the items in this collection are related to the mass desecration and looting of Shawnee Indian graves in Uniontown, Kentucky. An estimated 1200 graves were disturbed in this incident, prompting legislation that changed the desecration offense from a misdemeanor to a felony. John Thomas, as a member of the International Indian Treaty Council, worked to raise funds for reburial efforts and conducted purification ceremonies for the Ancestors Days reburial event held in May, 1988.

Special thanks to Ursinus College students Katherine Slater, Class of 2026, and Seamus Clune, Class of 2027, for their assistance with organization, research, digitization and description of these items.

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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.
Uniontown Reburial Benefit Flyer

American Indian Institute

This flyer advertises a benefit event to be held on April 18, 1988 to assist Native American Elders in participating in reburial efforts at Uniontown, Kentucky. The event is sponsored by American Indian Institute, a non-profit organization.
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 Alice Lambert to the Reburial Committee, April 1, 1988

Alice Lambert

This two-page handwritten letter from Alice Lambert to the Reburial Committee was sent on April 1, 1988. Lambert asks for information related to the Ancestors Days Reburial ceremony so she can create publicity for the event. She mentions other events including a benefit in Louisville and a gathering at Northern Kentucky University.
Letter From A. Zaile Thorla to John Thomas, March 26, 1988

A. Zaile Thorla

This handwritten letter from A. Zaile Thorla to John Thomas was sent on March 26, 1988. Thorla recounts attending a presentation by Thomas at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He offers a donation to assist with the reburial efforts in Uniontown, Kentucky and requests a copy of a poem spoken by Thomas at the event.
Letter From Oowah Nah Chasing Bear to John Thomas, March 25, 1988

Oowah Nah Chasing Bear

This handwritten letter from Oowah Nah Chasing Bear to John Thomas and Native Americans Against Desecration was sent on March 25, 1988. Chasing Bear offers her support for the grave desecration issue and seeks information about Dennis Banks and Kamook.
Indian Reburial Benefit Concert Flyer

Reburial Committee

This printed flyer advertises events to raise money for the Indian reburial in Uniontown, Kentucky on March 12, 1988, including two concerts and a pancake breakfast. The flyer notes Dennis Banks, Max Gail, Floyd Westerman and Carson Lowery as featured guests at the events.
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 David A. Jenkins to the Indian Reburial Committee, March 8, 1988

David A. Jenkins

This one-page typed letter from the President of the Evansville Chamber of Commerce was sent to the Indian Reburial Committee on March 8, 1988. David A. Jenkins offers the use of the Chamber of Commerce as a communications hub for the Reburial Committee in response to the desecration of graves in Union Town, Kentucky.
Letter From Julie Zimmer to John and Faye Thomas, March 5, 1988

Julie Zimmer

This three-page handwritten letter from Julie Zimmer to John and Faye Thomas was sent on March 5, 1988. Zimmer writes about arranging speaking engagements for Dennis Banks to benefit the Reburial ceremonies. She also inquires about the possibility of doing radio or television spots to raise awareness and mentions various musicians who might be interested in doing a benefit concert.
Letter from Oowah Nah Chasing Bear to John Thomas, March 1, 1988

Oowah Nah Chasing Bear

This two-page handwritten letter to John Thomas from Oowah Nah Chasing Bear was sent on March 1, 1988. Chasing Bear tells of her frustration with the Indian Council's refusal to engage with politics surrounding the mass desecration of Indian graves. She also speaks about the treatment of indigenous people in prisons and seeks advice regarding advocating for those in prison.
Letter From Vi Simpson to Julie Zimmer, February 22, 1988

Vi Simpson

This typed letter from Senator Vi Simpson to Julie Zimmer was sent on February 22, 1988. Senator Simpson thanks Zimmer for contacting her regarding Senate Bill 334, which pertains to legislation on the issue of grave desecration.
Letter from Oowah Nah Chasing Bear to American Indians Against Desecration, 1988

Oowah Nah Chasing Bear

This handwritten letter from Oowah Nah Chasing Bear to American Indians Against Desecration was sent on February 18, 1988. Chasing Bear discusses a number of topics, including a benefit to raise money to support Elders at the Pine Ridge Reservation. She expresses concern with legislation regarding Indian grave desecrations and notes items in the press related to museums and archeologists on this topic.
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.
Rebuttal to "Grave Robbing for Fun and Profit" by Tom Kenny

Oowah Nah Chasing Bear

This is a two-page typed response by Oowah Nah Chasing Bear to an article written by Tom Kenny that appeared in Bloomington Monthly, December 1987. Chasing Bear criticizes the language and attitude of archeologists towards the desecration of Indian graves. She claims that they only care about the disturbance of archaeological data and care nothing about the pain caused to Native Americans and their ancestors through the looting of burial sites. She also expresses sadness for those Indians who have become assimilated and willingly collaborate with scientists at Indiana University.
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.
Ancestors Day Indian Reburial

Alice Lambert

This typed two-page article was written by Alice Lambert circa February 1988. Lambert describes the massive Indian grave desecration that took place in Uniontown, Kentucky, noting that ten men have been arrested and charged with desecration of venerable objects. She states that John Thomas and his brother, representing the International Treaty Council, have been conducting purification ceremonies in preparation for the reburial event taking place in May.
Slack Farm Site: Protocols for Field Investigations

Unknown

This typed four-page document, circa February 1988, lists protocols for field investigations of the vandalized Slack Farm site in Union County, Kentucky. It provides an archaeological background of the site and lists the names of the organizations and individuals conducting the investigation. Specific instructions are included for the care and handling of human and other remains as well as the steps involved for examining dirt piles and holes.
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.
Letter from Brenda Nally to Willie Nelson, January 21, 1988

Brenda Nally

This typed letter from Brenda Nally to Willie Nelson was sent on January 21, 1988. The letter explains the formation of Citizens Against Desecration in response to the looting of Indian graves in Kentucky and the need to raise money to assist with reburial efforts. Nally asks if Mr. Nelson might be able to help with a donation or by appearing at a benefit concert.
Letter from Alisha to Congress

Alisha

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.
Letter from Amanda to Congress

Amanda

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.
Letter from Anissa to Congress

Anissa

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from a student to members of Congress, is regarding the Union County, Kentucky, grave desecration. This is one of dozens of similar letters sent to Congress as part of a campaign to influence tougher legislation on the looting of burial sites.