I was recently contacted by an elder of the Arapahoe nation who seeks the
repatriation of their sacred medicine wheel bundle. This sacred bundle is
important to many spiritual ceremonies, including the annual sundance. This
elder stated that a member of the tribe has seen the sacred medicine wheel
bundle in a museum collection in Chicago. If anyone on the net knows how I
would go about locating this sacred item and the process of seeking repatria-
tion to the tribe, I would appreciate any info that would lead in that
direction. The elders look forward to the return of their most sacred bundle.
They have been using a replicate of the bundle that was created by memory
for the last several years in their ceremonies and are in need of the strong
medicine associated with the actual bundle. They would be willing to
arrange for a replica for the museum's collection that is authenticate in
appearance. I have searched the Federal Register for references to the
bundle without success. If any of you are from the Chicago area, maybe a
search of the local museums of Natural History
We are praying for allies in this search for the original bundle and would
welcome any prayers you could offer for its safe and speedy return. I am a
Clatsop man myself who has worked in the public and private forum for
protection of sacred sites for the last 15 years. My Arapahoe brothers and
sisters do this in a good way and need your help.
> "And now...they've come for the I Jeff Painter, SOSC, Ashland, OR
>very last of our possessions; now I 503-488-2606
> they want our pride, our history, I * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> our spiritual traditions. The lies I
> and thefts just never end." I
> Margo Thunderbird, 1988. I
...............................................................................