Native American Studies Commons^™

Reburial Committee Schedule And Fact Sheet For Ancestor Days, May 26, 1988, Reburial Committee

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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 A. Zaile Thorla To John Thomas, March 26, 1988, A. Zaile Thorla

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

Letter From Max Gail To The Reburial Committee, March 10, 1988, Max Gail

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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 Oowah Nah Chasing Bear To John Thomas, March 1, 1988, Oowah Nah Chasing Bear

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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 Of Agreement Regarding Vandalism At The Slack Farm Site, February 4, 1988, David L. Morgan

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

Slack Farm Site: Protocols For Field Investigations, Unknown

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

Ancestors Day Indian Reburial, Alice Lambert

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

Citizens Against Desecration Day Proclamation, February 1, 1988, William C. Villines

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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 Kathy And Art Gerber To Collectors, 1988, Kathy Gerber, Art Gerber

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

Rebuttal To "Grave Robbing For Fun And Profit" By Tom Kenny, Oowah Nah Chasing Bear

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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 Kelli To Congress, Kelli

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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 Rheanna To Congress, Rheanna

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

Form Letter From John Thomas Regarding Desecration Of Burial Sites In Uniontown, Kentucky, John Thomas

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This one-page typed letter, circa March 1988, was written by John Thomas regarding the desecration of Indian graves in Uniontown, Kentucky. The letter includes quotations from the Los Angeles Times, AIM leader Dennis Banks, and anthropologist David Wolf attesting to the magnitude of the destruction. The letter appeals for funds to help with the various costs associated with the reburial ceremony.

Letter From Laurie To Congress, Laurie

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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, John Thomas

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

Shawnee Authorization Letter For John And William Thomas, Ron Sparkman

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This typed letter, circa 1988, provides authorization for John and William Thomas to work on behalf of the Shawnee Nation to reinter ancestral remains from disturbed burial grounds near Uniontown, Kentucky. The letter seeks assistance for the Thomases in their tasks and asks to help develop legislation to protect Indian burial sites in the future.

A handwritten note appears at the bottom of the document.

Form Letter From John Thomas Regarding Desecration Of A Shawnee Burial Site At Uniontown, Kentucky, John Thomas

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This typed letter from John Thomas, circa March 1988, is an appeal for help raising funds to support reburial efforts in Uniontown, Kentucky. Thomas recounts his previous experience helping with reburials and legislative efforts to prevent further grave desecration from happening. John explains that a delegation of Shawnee medicine men and elders needs to be organized for an appropriate re-burial.

Letter From Alisha To Congress, Alisha

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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 Carrina To Congress, Carrina

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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 Crystal To Congress, Crystal

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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, Stephen

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.