I have received many messages requesting information on this operation. What I am able to say is limited as the investigation is ongoing. All details will be made available by the FBI when they deem appropriate. FBI officials and IUPUI are working very closely to bring in the Native Nations on this operation to ensure the items are returned to the tribes to which they belong. But the comments on WTHRs news site and Facebook page are disturbing me, prompting me to respond. Please share as many times as possible! Many people are under the impression that this was a raid and that the man is a victim of the FBI...that his privacy is being invaded. Again I am limited on what can be discussed, but understand that this man had full knowledge of the operation prior to the FBIs arrival. He is cooperating. There are several artifacts and belongings to Native people and indigenous groups from all over the globe. Whether he obtained them legally or not, there are federal laws protecting our rights to our belongings and history. Native Americans are not an extinct race. Our history is not up for grabs so that those who are enchanted with our culture can hang them as trophies in their homes. To see so many people defending this man or the notion that one can simply collect our artifacts and remains is revolting, and it speaks to the greater issue of our society. People simply do not respect us as a living entity. They romanticize our past and gawk at our traditions and spirituality. But they do not respect us. We are not allowed to dig up your ancestors and collect their bones or personal possessions, nor do we want to. But the simple fact remains that most people are not able to make that parallel. They do not see us as their equal. People are so thirsty for scandals and conspiracies that they are flocking to the defense of a man they do not know, who is not even being victimized. Their lack of respect for authority and government organizations, and incessant fear of power, no doubt fed by one-sided pundits and extremists, leads to misinformed and misplaced contempt for this operation. Take away what you wish from this, but I as a proud Native woman will not sit by quietly while our culture is constantly misappropriated and collected. ---Carolina Castoreno, Apache Nation, AIM IN/KY
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 14:23:16 +0000
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