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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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Letter from Carrina to Congress

Carrina

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 Christopher to Congress

Christopher

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 and Fact Sheet from Citizens Against Desecration

Mary H. Clark, Shirley Smith, and Bruce Kaufman

This three-page typed letter from Citizens Against Desecration, circa March 1988, is addressed to supporters and gives facts about the events at Union County, Kentucky, regarding the desecration of American Indian burial sites. The letter provides facts surrounding the incident and notes the need to both educate the public about the issue and change legislation to increase the penalties for those convicted of this crime. It also expresses the need for funding to help cover the cost of expenses related to the reburial efforts.
Letter from Crystal to Congress

Crystal

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 Erin and Stephen to Congress

Erin and Stephen

This handwritten letter, circa 1988, from two students 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 Kelli to Congress

Kelli

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.