Proposed bill would change how Indian remains are treated
August 10th, 2006 - 6:54am
(Yakima) - Under a bill proposed by Washington Republican Congressman Doc Hastings, a federal law governing protection of American Indian graves would be amended.
The measure would allow scientific study of ancient remains
discovered on federal lands if the remains have not been tied to a
current tribe.
The bill marks the latest step in a dispute sparked by the
discovery of Kennewick Man. That's one of the oldest and most
complete skeletons ever found in North America. Indian tribes and
researchers battled over rights to the 9,300-year-old remains for
nine years before a federal court sided with the scientists,
allowing them to study the bones.
Hastings announced his plans to sponsor the legislation while
visiting a Kennewick Man exhibit at the East Benton County
Historical Society Museum in Kennewick, near where the skeleton was
discovered.
Hastings says his bill counters efforts in the Senate that would
prevent ancient remains from being studied in the future.
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