Letter from Oowah Nah Chasing Bear to American Indians Against Desecration, 1988

Authors

• Oowah Nah Chasing Bear

Files

Description

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.

Publication Date

2-18-1988

Document Type

Correspondence

City

Bainbridge, Indiana

Keywords

fund raising, grave desecration, Eiteljorg Museum, Terra Haute Federal Prison, Indiana, Dennis Banks

Language

English

Sender

Oowah Nah Chasing Bear

Recipient

Dennis Banks, Bill Means, John Thomas

Disciplines

Indigenous Studies | Native American Studies | Political History | Social History | United States History

Recommended Citation

Chasing Bear, Oowah Nah, "Letter from Oowah Nah Chasing Bear to American Indians Against Desecration, 1988" (1988). Graves Protection and Repatriation. 52.
https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/john_thomas_nagpra/52

Rights Statement

This item is made available as part of the Welcome Home Project for educational purposes only. It is not to be distributed for commercial use.

Identifier

Box 1, Folder 28, Item H

Transcription

Hau how is it with you - I was very [interested] to hear of the work being done here. Indiana long has needed the spiritual support of our people in the desecrations. Yesterday I was at the State House doing a 'press release' for the benefit for [elderly] on Pine Ridge, and Mr. Avery came up to speak to me. We talk about the Bill he has in the legislators, and urged us to contact our representatives. We have immediately [tried] to contact all to gain this support.  If we can help in any other way, I would be [honored] if we were contacted. 

For some years, I have fought Indiana University and Prof Keller (now retired), Ball State - museums, etc. It might be worthwhile to watch just what the Eiteljorg new museum 'displays.' The curator has already hinted about what is appropriate to display - speaking of bundles [of] bones and other sacred items. Eiteljorg is a multi-millionaire with an extensive Indian art collection. The new museum site will be on White River, next to the new zoo - off W. Washington St. The curator is Michael W. Duty. On Jan 10, 1988, he wrote an article in the Indianapolis Star newspaper 317 N. Pennsylvania St. Also the Heritage newspaper out of Bloomington, Indiana has a story titled: Grave Robbing, for Fun and Profit " by Tom Kenny. 

Wherein - Owen Valley Archeological Society talks of the need to evacuate Indian graves! They meet on the 4th Monday of each month at the Spencer (Indiana) Library Annex on Washington St in Spencer. Society founder: Wade Alibritten 605 E Morgan - Spencer, IN 47460. Also I have tried to contact everyone to let them know of the Bill the arcis are trying to get through. Senate Bill 5187. George Grove - Illinois State Arc. Society seems to be pushing it - the [Rensselaer] Republican Newspaper 12/26/87 carries this story ([Rensselaer] is up in Northern Indiana).

This Benefit is the 1st this year - The second will be on April 8-10 at State Fairgrounds -  A horse show where  I will have a booth - try to sell native crafts. Proceeds for Nellie Red Owl and the Elders. The Red Hawks hope to continue working for our people - those on this Turtle Island and those in spirit world and those yet to come. Sure could use some help with the prison situation here especially up at Terra Haute Fed. Prison (you know - where Bobby Garcia 'died')

I send my good thought, and prayer - I'm not vain enough to think you would remember me, Dennis - but I've never given up on the work for the people, through all the ups - downs of it all - the coming and going of this or that - I've tried to hold on.

I was out at Batesland in Nov. visiting Kathaleen Kempter and Nellie Red Owl, and that's how we came up with idea of this Benefit. 

May the Great Spirit bless, guide and protect you in this work for our ancestors.

Respectfully 

Oowah Nah Chasing Bear