Corps of Engineers Cooperating with Tribe Over Burial Site

In a surprise turn of events, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to
hold back the waters of the Missouri River to allow not only  the collection
of scattered human remains at a sacred burial site by tribal members, but
also the mapping of the site by a
team of archeologists. 'The main issue here is to take care of the remains
out there in the most culturally respectful way possible,' said Fort Randall
Dam Operations Manager Tom Curran in a meeting last night between the
Yankton Sioux Tribe and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
 
There has been much recent publicity in the national media and pressure from Congress over the conflict between the Corps of Engineers and the Yankton
Sioux Tribe over a sacred burial site on the shores of Lake Francis Case,
the reservoir for along the Missouri River. Exposed human remains were found
in December which the Corps wanted to flood. A federal court determined that
the scattered remains had to first be retrieved before the water can be
raised. Because of public concern, the Corps of Engineers agreed to map the
site before collection. In the next few months, the Corps and the Tribe will
work together to work on a long-term solution to the problem, since remains
just below the surface will have to spend approximately seven months under
water.
'Communications are greatly improved and we're consistently receiving a
message that the Corps is going to cooperate,' said tribal attorney Mary
Wynne. During last night's meeting, the Corps committed to allowing an
archeologist, Todd Kapler, who was hired
by the Tribe to participate in the mapping effort at the site. Last weekend
Kapler, a registered professional archeologist with more than 20 years
experience, was denied access to the site by the Corps, who claimed they were looking into his qualifications.
 
Last night's talks were informal and more friendly. 'I think people were
more relaxed. There wasn't that tense feeling that there was in the past.
We're getting somewhere,' said Jolene Arrow, another tribal negotiator. 'I
just feel like we're making progress,' said Francis
Hart, a tribal member and part of the negotiations team. 'There's still a
ways to go, but we're communicating here.' Once the mapping process is
complete, then collection of the remains may take place. Still up for
discussion is where the remains will be housed until they may be reburied
sometime in mid-February. The Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation
Act mandates that individuals who may claim kinship to the remains have
thirty days to do so. If there are no claims, then the remains may be given
to an entity designated by the Tribe for reburial at an appropriate place.
Several elders are relieved that federal
officials may finally be understanding the impact of 'repeated mourning' and 'repeated burials'. Today, the YST General Council meets to discuss other
issues, but an update on the progress towards an agreement with the Corps
over the burial site will
take place. Then the tribal negotiation team will meet with Lt. Col. Brian
Vulcan on Friday to further discuss the issues yet to be resolved.
 
Members of Congress have been in support of tribal efforts to resolve the
matter. Representative Patrick Kennedy (RI-D) wrote to the Chief Engineer of
the Corps, General Joe Ballard, 'As a founding member and vice-chairman of
the Native American Caucus, I ask you to immediately contact the Corps of
Engineer leadership and ask for immediate intervention in this situation.
The reports I have heard and the stories I have read describe a deplorable
and disrespectful situation.' Representative Kennedy also called General
Ballard today and spoke with him about the matter. Other congressional
offices have also expressed their support. Corps Chief of Public Affairs
Kevin Quinn, of the Omaha office, told the Yankton Sioux Tribe today, 'Our
number one goal is the respectful handling of the remains. We have good weather so far, no snowpack, and low precipitation, so there is no impact on
the other dams over the short term.' 'The elders are happy and delighted
about the cooperation of both sides and that their relatives can soon be put
to rest,' said Faith Spotted Eagle, a lineal descendant of the White Swan
Community. 'Our spiritual encampment continues to pray for the
permanent resolution of this matter.'