Native American Rights Fund Case update

NAGPRA/Sacred Sites Legislative IssuesAttorney: Walter Echohawk

Case Update:

NARF offered testimony in 2004 and 2005 before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs at an Oversight Hearings regarding NAGPRA issues. NARF is working on legislation to amend NAGPRA to correct problems created by the Ninth Circuit decision in the Bonnichsen case as well as providing comments on various proposed regulations and policies implementing NAGPRA.NARF is also assisting the Pawnee Nation in the reburial of about 800 human remains in the State of Nebraska, which will entail the facilitation of a transfer of private land located within the heart of the Pawnee homeland to the Nation for use as a reburial and cultural site. Meetings were held this Spring concerning these matters.NARF has closely followed a lawsuit involving a dispute among Native Hawaiian NAGPRA claimants concerning the legality of a repatriation from the Bishop museum. NARF has not become involved due to its "Indian v. Indian" policy.

Wado!

A special note of gratitude to J.B. Starkey, Laura Starkey, and the rest of the family for their kind and generous support by providing us the grounds for our powwow as well as our regular monthly gatherings. Spirit People Intertribal appreciates all you do.

Wado,

Waterbird/Weighs The Truth