Reply to: A Message from a Spiritual Leader
/s=w.reed/ou1=r04f02a@mhs-fswa.attmail.com
Mon, 9 Jan 1995 13:14:36 +0000
From: WILLIAM G. REED:R04F02A
I am one archaeologist who has no desire to dig up anybody! Yet, I
have been a worker on "salvage" excavations where the forces of
Progress and Development hit the bones and we were called in to do a
scientific job - a respectful job - of excavating. There is a choice
to be made: either let the burials be decimated by the bulldozers or
help the archaeologists do the job. I have worked for Tribes. I
have worked with Tribes who didn't want anything to do with burials
and yet they wanted their own history documented - both for their
children and so their lawyers could fight for their historic lands
and water. Please convey this message to the Elder. No one alive
knows all the burial places of all the generations. The Indians
can't stop Progress and Development any more than the archaeologists.
When the bulldozers disturb the resting places, and the
archaeologists get called in, would you rather we threw up our hands
and walked away? or should we call for some help from the Tribes?
I'd rather not dig up any body, but when it is a choice between me or
the bulldozer, then I'll do the job - but not until I find a medicine
man who can give me some protection while I work! The archaeologists
need your help.