Construction crews at the University of California, Berkeley immediately halted construction of an outdoor volleyball court when they encountered human remains. Under California law, notifications go out to state officials and to any tribes that might be descendants. Such procedures are not always followed, even when the law is clear cut. A number of recent discoveries of remains in California and elsewhere have drawn criticism from graves protections advocates and others for how they were handled. We’ll look at some recent cases and assess the current state of the public’s understanding of sacred ancestors’ remains.

GUESTS

Tanya Hill-Montour (Mohawk of Six Nations of the Grand River), Six Nations of the Grand River archaeological supervisor

Clare Apana (Kanaka Maoli), president and founder of Mālama Kakanilua

Gabriel Duncan (descendent of a federally recognized California Paiute tribe), founder of the Alameda Native History Project

Eva Cardenas (Mexica Chicana of Mazahua and Zapotec descent), director of organizing at NDN Collective