Kennewick Man is Native American
Kennewick Man, or the “Ancient One,” has caused a lot of controversy since the day he was found in 1996 in Washington state. Scientists, the federal government and Native American tribes were all involved in a nearly decade-long legal battle over his remains that date back more than 8,000 years. His femurs were stolen once. Various studies and theories suggested he was a Polynesian, Asian or a European traveler. A new study, published in the journal Nature in June, backs what Native Americans have always believed: he’s a direct ancestor. What does Kennewick Man mean to Native American history? What does this discovery say about DNA testing – which is a controversy in itself – in Native America?
Guests:
Dave Thomas – Curator of anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History
Dr. Cynthia Coleman (Osage) – professor of communication at Portland State University
Jim Boyd (Colville) – Chairman for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Break Music: Nitohta (song) Asani (artist) Listen (album)
