Work stopped after remains found at Omak casino site
By Chris Thew
Chronicle staff
The Colville Business Council ordered all work stopped on July 15 at the proposed Omak casino after human remains were discovered at the site.
"We have no choice but to stop the excavation and all construction at the site," Colville Business Council chair Jeanne Jerred said. "Nothing is more important than the protection of our sacred sites. We require others to adhere to our laws and regulations to protect archaeological and prehistoric sites, and we can do no less ourselves."
The order also requires Colville Tribal Enterprise Corporation, which operates the tribes' three casinos, to search for an alternative site for the casino.
"We hope that CTEC will be able to find an alternative site in the very near future," Jerred said. "This is simply a matter of protecting and preserving our culture, history and traditions as our first priority."
The $24 million, 58,000-square-foot casino on reservation land in east Omak next to Highway 97, would have been the tribe's largest and first permanent casino, according to Michelle Campobasso, a spokeswoman with CTEC. The casino was scheduled to open in 2009.
Jerred said that given the atmosphere of the council and the order for CTEC to find another site, repatriation of the remains to another location to allow for construction of the casino is not an option.
“I do not think it is any longer an option to remain there,” Jerred said. “The process will need to be started again.”
http://www.omakchronicle.com:80/nws/n080715b.shtml
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra Brennan
Founder/Director
Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
New hospital, or ancient burial ground?
New hospital, or ancient burial ground?
Archeologist to survey site of Denison's proposed $35 million medical campus
By Tim Gallagher Journal staff writer
DENISON, Iowa -- An official with the Office of the State Archeologist at the University of Iowa will survey the site for a new hospital in Denison in the next few days to determine if the area served as a burial ground for Native Americans centuries ago.
"The Denison area has known significant archeological sites including some with burials," said Dr. John Doershuk, state archeologist. "The Boyer River cuts through there and there are burial sites in both the valleys and the uplands."
Conducting a survey before site preparation commences for a $35.4 million campus for a new Crawford County Memorial Hospital isn't required.
"When federal funding is involved, a law requires archeological surveys of this type," Doershuk said. "Absent this, the hospital board doesn't have to do this, but they're doing the right thing. If, in fact, there is a burial mound up there and they would cut into it (in construction), then they'd be in violation of state law."
Doershuk was contacted about the project by a member of the hospital's engineering firm. The hospital will pay for one official from Doershuk's office to travel to Denison this week or next to spend two days conducting a preliminary survey of the 40-acre parcel near the intersection of Highways 59 and 141 at the northwest corner of the Crawford County seat.
"If they determine another survey is needed after the first one, we will do another survey," said Mark Rinehardt, hospital administrator.
The hospital board in May voted to exercise an option to purchase the land for $10,000 per acre.
In explaining the process, Doershuk used a medical analogy. "It's like a patient who tells a doctor he doesn't feel well and the doctor says they did tests, but now need to do surgery to see what's there," he said. "We're in that stage, at the point where we'll open the ground to see what's there."
It is believed a portion of this area could have been cut off or altered by the Iowa Department of Transportation when Highway 59 was realigned in the 1960s. Doershuk said a professional archeologist has never conducted a formal survey of the parcel.
"The best thing is to get somebody out there to look at the landscape setting," he said. "They'll look at the ground surface for artifacts and otherwise look at locations that might warrant some excavation or deeper sampling."
Prehistoric people, he added, may have maintained a campsite at the top of a bluff that was cut off in the 1960s.
If something is found, the hospital project could still proceed. In many instances, planners of new facilities work with archeologists to integrate a preserved area into the project design. For example, a small area might need to be green-spaced within the campus to preserve the archeology long-term.
A series of burial mounds, however, could greatly alter or challenge construction.
"The potential exists for something like a series of burial mounds to be present that could cause serious discussions to take place," Doershuk said. "That's a bridge to cross in the future."
Rinehardt said hospital officials will continue to move forward, planning the platting and annexing steps at this site. He said he remains hopeful ground could be broken this fall for a hospital campus to replace the 1951 facility at 20th Street and Broadway near downtown Denison.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com:80/articles/2008/07/16/news/local/39d4402bae52449f862574880010e095.txt
Archeologist to survey site of Denison's proposed $35 million medical campus
By Tim Gallagher Journal staff writer
DENISON, Iowa -- An official with the Office of the State Archeologist at the University of Iowa will survey the site for a new hospital in Denison in the next few days to determine if the area served as a burial ground for Native Americans centuries ago.
"The Denison area has known significant archeological sites including some with burials," said Dr. John Doershuk, state archeologist. "The Boyer River cuts through there and there are burial sites in both the valleys and the uplands."
Conducting a survey before site preparation commences for a $35.4 million campus for a new Crawford County Memorial Hospital isn't required.
"When federal funding is involved, a law requires archeological surveys of this type," Doershuk said. "Absent this, the hospital board doesn't have to do this, but they're doing the right thing. If, in fact, there is a burial mound up there and they would cut into it (in construction), then they'd be in violation of state law."
Doershuk was contacted about the project by a member of the hospital's engineering firm. The hospital will pay for one official from Doershuk's office to travel to Denison this week or next to spend two days conducting a preliminary survey of the 40-acre parcel near the intersection of Highways 59 and 141 at the northwest corner of the Crawford County seat.
"If they determine another survey is needed after the first one, we will do another survey," said Mark Rinehardt, hospital administrator.
The hospital board in May voted to exercise an option to purchase the land for $10,000 per acre.
In explaining the process, Doershuk used a medical analogy. "It's like a patient who tells a doctor he doesn't feel well and the doctor says they did tests, but now need to do surgery to see what's there," he said. "We're in that stage, at the point where we'll open the ground to see what's there."
It is believed a portion of this area could have been cut off or altered by the Iowa Department of Transportation when Highway 59 was realigned in the 1960s. Doershuk said a professional archeologist has never conducted a formal survey of the parcel.
"The best thing is to get somebody out there to look at the landscape setting," he said. "They'll look at the ground surface for artifacts and otherwise look at locations that might warrant some excavation or deeper sampling."
Prehistoric people, he added, may have maintained a campsite at the top of a bluff that was cut off in the 1960s.
If something is found, the hospital project could still proceed. In many instances, planners of new facilities work with archeologists to integrate a preserved area into the project design. For example, a small area might need to be green-spaced within the campus to preserve the archeology long-term.
A series of burial mounds, however, could greatly alter or challenge construction.
"The potential exists for something like a series of burial mounds to be present that could cause serious discussions to take place," Doershuk said. "That's a bridge to cross in the future."
Rinehardt said hospital officials will continue to move forward, planning the platting and annexing steps at this site. He said he remains hopeful ground could be broken this fall for a hospital campus to replace the 1951 facility at 20th Street and Broadway near downtown Denison.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com:80/articles/2008/07/16/news/local/39d4402bae52449f862574880010e095.txt
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Effort to save Indian burial mound hits snag
Effort to save Indian burial mound hits snag
DULAC, La. -- An American Indian tribe lost a $45,800 grant that members had hoped would aid their efforts to buy Dulac land that's home to a large earthen mound built centuries ago by their ancestors.
The Terrebonne Parish Council decided in a 7-2 vote this month to redirect the state-government grant to improvements at a hurricane-supply warehouse in Houma.
Council members Alvin Tillman and Teri Cavalier voted against the move, saying they want the grant to remain dedicated to purchasing the Indian mound.
But now that one door is closed, another could open for the United Houma Nation, whose members say they may be eligible for other grants and programs.
"To be honest, it's almost a blessing," said Michael Billiot, a tribal member and attorney. "We may be able to find a grant that doesn't require the (local) government's involvement."
For several months, Houma tribal members had talked with the property's owners but the two sides could not agree on a price for the Shrimpers Row lot. Questions also surfaced about how to use the grant, which required that the land was owned by a public body.
At a June 5 meeting between parish officials, tribal leaders and one of the property owners, developer and landowner S.P. LaRussa, announced the property was being taken off the market. LaRussa said he did not want to work with parish government any longer.
Considering these developments, Council Chairman Clayton Voisin, whose district includes Dulac, said he began looking for other uses for the grant money. The Council on Aging had asked council members for help with its new warehouse, he said.
The grant now will be used to ramp up security at the one-story building, which also needs more dirt on the property, said Diana Edmonson, Council on Aging director.
The bulk of the council agreed with Voisin, voting on July 7 to use the money for security improvements at the warehouse.
However, Tillman said he never knew the grant was up for grabs. Though he said the grant should have remained allocated to the mound purchase, he also said he is "amazed" his previous pleas for an African American museum was not considered as an alternative for the money.
Tillman pitched the museum idea last year, when the council was deciding how to use the grant.
Like Tillman, council members, United Houma Nation members and even Parish President Michel Claudet said they didn't know Voisin planned to ask for the grant change until they saw it on the council's agenda this month.
Councilman Johnny Pizzolatto said he voted in favor of Voisin's proposal because he wants to use the money as soon as possible. The United Houma Nation can apply for next year's round of local government-assistance grants, he said.
But an agreement between local government and the tribe may not even be necessary, according to Billiot.
During a recent visit to Baton Rouge, Billiot said, he spoke with the former Terrebonne Parish manager, who served in that capacity for a few weeks in January before taking a position in Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration. Natalie Robottom is now head of the office that doles out the assistance grants.
"I do not think those efforts will go in vain," Billiot said.
http://www.katc.com/global/story.asp?s=8668522&ClientType=Printable
DULAC, La. -- An American Indian tribe lost a $45,800 grant that members had hoped would aid their efforts to buy Dulac land that's home to a large earthen mound built centuries ago by their ancestors.
The Terrebonne Parish Council decided in a 7-2 vote this month to redirect the state-government grant to improvements at a hurricane-supply warehouse in Houma.
Council members Alvin Tillman and Teri Cavalier voted against the move, saying they want the grant to remain dedicated to purchasing the Indian mound.
But now that one door is closed, another could open for the United Houma Nation, whose members say they may be eligible for other grants and programs.
"To be honest, it's almost a blessing," said Michael Billiot, a tribal member and attorney. "We may be able to find a grant that doesn't require the (local) government's involvement."
For several months, Houma tribal members had talked with the property's owners but the two sides could not agree on a price for the Shrimpers Row lot. Questions also surfaced about how to use the grant, which required that the land was owned by a public body.
At a June 5 meeting between parish officials, tribal leaders and one of the property owners, developer and landowner S.P. LaRussa, announced the property was being taken off the market. LaRussa said he did not want to work with parish government any longer.
Considering these developments, Council Chairman Clayton Voisin, whose district includes Dulac, said he began looking for other uses for the grant money. The Council on Aging had asked council members for help with its new warehouse, he said.
The grant now will be used to ramp up security at the one-story building, which also needs more dirt on the property, said Diana Edmonson, Council on Aging director.
The bulk of the council agreed with Voisin, voting on July 7 to use the money for security improvements at the warehouse.
However, Tillman said he never knew the grant was up for grabs. Though he said the grant should have remained allocated to the mound purchase, he also said he is "amazed" his previous pleas for an African American museum was not considered as an alternative for the money.
Tillman pitched the museum idea last year, when the council was deciding how to use the grant.
Like Tillman, council members, United Houma Nation members and even Parish President Michel Claudet said they didn't know Voisin planned to ask for the grant change until they saw it on the council's agenda this month.
Councilman Johnny Pizzolatto said he voted in favor of Voisin's proposal because he wants to use the money as soon as possible. The United Houma Nation can apply for next year's round of local government-assistance grants, he said.
But an agreement between local government and the tribe may not even be necessary, according to Billiot.
During a recent visit to Baton Rouge, Billiot said, he spoke with the former Terrebonne Parish manager, who served in that capacity for a few weeks in January before taking a position in Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration. Natalie Robottom is now head of the office that doles out the assistance grants.
"I do not think those efforts will go in vain," Billiot said.
http://www.katc.com/global/story.asp?s=8668522&ClientType=Printable
Beautiful & Sacred? Indian burial sites are reason to protect bluffs
Beautiful & Sacred? Indian burial sites are reason to protect bluffs, says chieftain
By Mark Sommerhauser | Winona Daily News
.
Groups such as Bluff Land Environment Watch say Winona-area bluffs should be protected for their scenic beauty and environmental sensitivity.
Leonard Wabasha says there’s another reason to restrict blufftop development: respect for the dead.
Wabasha, a seventh-generation Dakota chieftain whose ancestors once lived near Winona, says blufftops are a common location for Indian burial sites, both those marked by mounds and those that are unmarked. To disturb the southeast Minnesota blufftops — places that, for many Dakota, are also graveyards — is “unethical,” Wabasha says.
“The place means a lot to Indian people,” Wabasha said. “There are certain areas that need to be kept intact.”
Archaeological experts say the Winona area has a high — if not remarkable — concentration of Indian burial sites, and they’re often found on blufftops. But Winona County planners aren’t certain that protecting burial sites that may or may not exist is a reason to restrict blufftop development.
At least 128 Indian burial mounds have been documented in Winona County, State Archaeologist Scott Anfinson said. And that doesn’t include the unmarked burial sites created in the millennia before native peoples began building mounds to mark graves. Anfinson says he gets calls “every day” from landowners who have uncovered what they believe to be Indian remains.
“They tend to be in these nice locations, like bluffs, overlooking the rivers,” Anfinson said.
Another expert, Robert “Ernie” Boszhardt, studies Indian burial sites for the Mississippi Valley Archaeological Center at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Boszhardt has studied numerous sites in the Winona area, though he says it’s not as archaeologically rich as Prairie du Chien, Wis., or La Crosse, Wis.
Wabasha, who’s studied mound sites throughout Minnesota, is particularly interested in Winona County because he’s descended from the same Chief Wabasha whose people once populated the area near Winona.
The Native American Grave Repatriation Act offers some protections for burial sites, and Minnesota law makes it a felony to “willfully disturb” a site. But “there’s really no protection for (burial sites) until they’re disturbed,” Wabasha said.
A few Minnesota and Wisconsin municipalities have more stringent laws to protect archaeological sites before they’re found. La Crosse — which Boszhardt said is built on several significant Indian sites — has designated archaeological districts in which property owners must contact Boszhardt’s office for an archaeological assessment before they excavate a site. In Cass County, Minn., new development plats must undergo a review that considers potential archaeological impacts.
County Planning Director Brian Bender says no Winona County landowners have reported archaeological discoveries to his office. However, he acknowledged that some might simply keep the discovery to themselves or contact other authorities.
Bender said county zoning laws likely don’t need to be altered to protect unmarked burial sites. Local protections are only practical when applied to known burial sites, he said.
“Isolated spots which potentially might have a mound — I think the state and federal statutes deal with them accordingly,” Bender said.
Proposed changes to the county zoning ordinance would create mandatory development setbacks from bluff edges, and would require developers to obtain a conditional-use permit within a transitional zone behind the setback area. As part of the permit approval, Bluff Land director Joe Morse said county staff could evaluate development sites for archaeological significance.
Though Morse said the burial site issue only recently became an issue for the environmental watchgroup, it has invited Wabasha to speak at a public hearing for the zoning law changes slated for July 17.
“This is just another reason (local bluffs) should be protected,” Morse said.
Q&A
Q: How many burial sites are documented in Winona County?
A: There are 128 Indian burial mounds recorded in Winona County, said State Archaeologist Scott Anfinson. That’s just a few of the 12,500 recorded throughout Minnesota.
Q: Are all burial sites marked with mounds?
A: Not at all. The Dakota built burial mounds for about the last 2,000 years; historians estimate people have been in the Winona area for at least 12,000 years. Whether or not the sites are marked, they tend to be on blufftops or terraces with pretty views, archaeologists say.
Q: Where are the mounds?
A: Burial mounds have been discovered near Winona, Minnesota City, La Moille, Dakota, Dresbach, Rushford, La Crescent, Hokah and Brownsville, among other locations. Many were documented in the late 19th century and have long since been destroyed. Archaeologists still hesitate to publicize the exact locations for fear of vandalism, though historical records with more precise descriptions are still available at local libraries.
Q: Where are some notable sites?
A: Clusters of 50 or more mounds near Brownsville and La Crescent had been documented by 1911. Two large mounds were documented in what is now Levee Park in downtown Winona. In 1879, a farmer near Lanesboro turned up a skull while plowing his field. The farmer returned with a crew of interested townspeople, who dug up the remains of “several wagon-loads” of people — more than 600 in all, according to accounts from the Lanesboro Journal and the Preston Republican. With the help of Indian elders, historians concluded the remains came from a battle between Sioux and Chippewa warriors that occurred on the site centuries ago.
Q: What if there is a burial site on my property?
A: Anfinson maintains a database of all known mounds, and his office can help you determine whether your property might include them. Minnesota law makes it a felony to “willfully disturb” a burial site, so if you find one, the law requires you to stop digging and contact the authorities so the site can be studied. Landowners elsewhere in Minnesota have faced lawsuits for continuing to dig after they’ve found remains.
Contact Mark Sommerhauser at (507) 453-3514 or msommerhauser@winonadailynews.com. .
http://www.winonadailynews.com:80/articles/2008/07/13/news/00lead.txt
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!
"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes"
"Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?"
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
By Mark Sommerhauser | Winona Daily News
.
Groups such as Bluff Land Environment Watch say Winona-area bluffs should be protected for their scenic beauty and environmental sensitivity.
Leonard Wabasha says there’s another reason to restrict blufftop development: respect for the dead.
Wabasha, a seventh-generation Dakota chieftain whose ancestors once lived near Winona, says blufftops are a common location for Indian burial sites, both those marked by mounds and those that are unmarked. To disturb the southeast Minnesota blufftops — places that, for many Dakota, are also graveyards — is “unethical,” Wabasha says.
“The place means a lot to Indian people,” Wabasha said. “There are certain areas that need to be kept intact.”
Archaeological experts say the Winona area has a high — if not remarkable — concentration of Indian burial sites, and they’re often found on blufftops. But Winona County planners aren’t certain that protecting burial sites that may or may not exist is a reason to restrict blufftop development.
At least 128 Indian burial mounds have been documented in Winona County, State Archaeologist Scott Anfinson said. And that doesn’t include the unmarked burial sites created in the millennia before native peoples began building mounds to mark graves. Anfinson says he gets calls “every day” from landowners who have uncovered what they believe to be Indian remains.
“They tend to be in these nice locations, like bluffs, overlooking the rivers,” Anfinson said.
Another expert, Robert “Ernie” Boszhardt, studies Indian burial sites for the Mississippi Valley Archaeological Center at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Boszhardt has studied numerous sites in the Winona area, though he says it’s not as archaeologically rich as Prairie du Chien, Wis., or La Crosse, Wis.
Wabasha, who’s studied mound sites throughout Minnesota, is particularly interested in Winona County because he’s descended from the same Chief Wabasha whose people once populated the area near Winona.
The Native American Grave Repatriation Act offers some protections for burial sites, and Minnesota law makes it a felony to “willfully disturb” a site. But “there’s really no protection for (burial sites) until they’re disturbed,” Wabasha said.
A few Minnesota and Wisconsin municipalities have more stringent laws to protect archaeological sites before they’re found. La Crosse — which Boszhardt said is built on several significant Indian sites — has designated archaeological districts in which property owners must contact Boszhardt’s office for an archaeological assessment before they excavate a site. In Cass County, Minn., new development plats must undergo a review that considers potential archaeological impacts.
County Planning Director Brian Bender says no Winona County landowners have reported archaeological discoveries to his office. However, he acknowledged that some might simply keep the discovery to themselves or contact other authorities.
Bender said county zoning laws likely don’t need to be altered to protect unmarked burial sites. Local protections are only practical when applied to known burial sites, he said.
“Isolated spots which potentially might have a mound — I think the state and federal statutes deal with them accordingly,” Bender said.
Proposed changes to the county zoning ordinance would create mandatory development setbacks from bluff edges, and would require developers to obtain a conditional-use permit within a transitional zone behind the setback area. As part of the permit approval, Bluff Land director Joe Morse said county staff could evaluate development sites for archaeological significance.
Though Morse said the burial site issue only recently became an issue for the environmental watchgroup, it has invited Wabasha to speak at a public hearing for the zoning law changes slated for July 17.
“This is just another reason (local bluffs) should be protected,” Morse said.
Q&A
Q: How many burial sites are documented in Winona County?
A: There are 128 Indian burial mounds recorded in Winona County, said State Archaeologist Scott Anfinson. That’s just a few of the 12,500 recorded throughout Minnesota.
Q: Are all burial sites marked with mounds?
A: Not at all. The Dakota built burial mounds for about the last 2,000 years; historians estimate people have been in the Winona area for at least 12,000 years. Whether or not the sites are marked, they tend to be on blufftops or terraces with pretty views, archaeologists say.
Q: Where are the mounds?
A: Burial mounds have been discovered near Winona, Minnesota City, La Moille, Dakota, Dresbach, Rushford, La Crescent, Hokah and Brownsville, among other locations. Many were documented in the late 19th century and have long since been destroyed. Archaeologists still hesitate to publicize the exact locations for fear of vandalism, though historical records with more precise descriptions are still available at local libraries.
Q: Where are some notable sites?
A: Clusters of 50 or more mounds near Brownsville and La Crescent had been documented by 1911. Two large mounds were documented in what is now Levee Park in downtown Winona. In 1879, a farmer near Lanesboro turned up a skull while plowing his field. The farmer returned with a crew of interested townspeople, who dug up the remains of “several wagon-loads” of people — more than 600 in all, according to accounts from the Lanesboro Journal and the Preston Republican. With the help of Indian elders, historians concluded the remains came from a battle between Sioux and Chippewa warriors that occurred on the site centuries ago.
Q: What if there is a burial site on my property?
A: Anfinson maintains a database of all known mounds, and his office can help you determine whether your property might include them. Minnesota law makes it a felony to “willfully disturb” a burial site, so if you find one, the law requires you to stop digging and contact the authorities so the site can be studied. Landowners elsewhere in Minnesota have faced lawsuits for continuing to dig after they’ve found remains.
Contact Mark Sommerhauser at (507) 453-3514 or msommerhauser@winonadailynews.com. .
http://www.winonadailynews.com:80/articles/2008/07/13/news/00lead.txt
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!
"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes"
"Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?"
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
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