Native American Studies Commons^™

The Landscape Does Not Care It Is A Landscape: A Utopian Pessimist Journey In Kentucky., Shachaf Polakow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

These thesis and exhibition, invite the viewers to travel through different places in Central and Eastern Kentucky. The region’s landscape, like many other American landscapes, is often known to the public through the settler colonial lens—a lens that ignores Indigenous peoples’ history in the region. The work in the exhibition is a response to landscape art's history and its complicity with American settler colonialism- art that was recruited to create a new identity for the settlers and for the country from the beginning of the American Colonial Project. Landscape art was a crucial part of this effort, presenting the land …

Pyatt, Susanna (Fa 1380), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 1380. “Woven Evidence?: Western Shaker Connections with Native Americans,” a paper written by Susanna Pyatt in April 2018 for a WKU folk studies class.

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.

Uniontown Reburial Benefit Flyer, American Indian Institute

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

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.

Indian Reburial Benefit Concert Flyer, Reburial Committee

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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

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 Frank Mccloskey To Morris K. Udall, February 18, 1988, Frank Mccloskey

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

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.

Letter From Brenda Nally To Willie Nelson, January 21, 1988, Brenda Nally

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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 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 John Thomas To John Denver, 1988, John Thomas

Graves Protection and Repatriation

This two-page typed letter from Shawnee representative John Thomas to Mr. Denver (presumably John Denver) was sent circa March 1988. Thomas explains the unprecedented extent of the damage done to Indian graves at Uniontown, Kentucky, and the need for support for the thousands of Native Americans planning to participate in the reburial ceremonies. Thomas also discusses the increased popularity of grave robbing and the need for improved legislation to address the issue.

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.

Citizens Against Desecration Form Letter, 1988, Dennis Banks, William Thomas, Chico Dulak

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

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.

Letter And Fact Sheet From Citizens Against Desecration, Mary H. Clark, Shirley Smith, Bruce Kaufman

Graves Protection and Repatriation

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.

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.