Ancestral remains withheld at the University of Kansas

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Violence and injustice committed against indigenous peoples, communities and nations of the world is not news; No one knows this more than the indigenous students and faculty at the University of Kansas.

On September 20, the president of the University of Kansas issued a written statement acknowledging his collection of Aboriginal ancestral remains and their intention to return the artifacts to their tribal states.

While KU has publicly committed itself to returning these stolen items, news of the possession of ancestral relics and artifacts upset many within the university, the United States, and of course across Indigenous communities.

“The discovery of the ancestral remains in the possession of the University of Kansas is very disturbing,” said Rep. Charice Davids, herself a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and an alumnus of Haskell Indian Nations University. “I am thinking of the indigenous community at KU and across Kansas, and sharing their pain. I have spoken with KU officials about their plans to work with tribal leaders and officers on repatriation and hope this important effort continues as we work through the healing process.”

The statement issued by Kuwait University did not mention the specific halls in which the remains are located, which are now known to be located in Fraser Hall, Spooner Hall, and …