In Honor and Respect: Returning the Remains of Native Americans to their Ancestors

On November 4th and 5th, 2010, Central Michigan University will return the remains of 144 Saginaw Chippewa tribal ancestors and associated funerary objects to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, for proper burial. This historical event has been years in the making, mainly due to the Federal Guidelines that govern the return of ancestral remains under the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). In this special show, we are joined by special guests Dr. Pamela Gates, interim Dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences at Central Michigan University and Shannon Martin, Director of the Ziibiwing Center. Both individuals were instrumental in the organization of this historic event. Prepared to be moved as we will discuss how this poignant event came to pass, and what it means for CMU and the Native American Community.