The following article first appeared on the Tribal Law list and is posted by Darren English, Cultural Coordinator of the Wyandot Tribe of Kansas. These are alarming developments as we seek to protect our ancestors from the greed of those who seek to turn a fast buck off this hallowed resting place. Please add your voice to the petition site found in the signature file at the end.

Your help is greatly appreciated,

Ishgooda</I>

Subject: Lawyer for Indians says Huron exhumation possible

Lawyer for Indians says Huron exhumation possible

March 2, 1994

By Carmen Cardinal

Kansas City Kansan

Where there's smoke, there's usually fire.

Last week's rumors of bodies being dug up from the Huron Indian Cemetery are past the rumor stages.

According to Pete Smith, an attorney for McDowell, Rice and Smith, representing the Indian tribes of Kansas who are involved in the project to build an Indian casino, that's the focus of their investigation.

Gov. Joan Finney awarded compacts to the Indian nations of Kansas (Kickapoo, Sac and Fox, Potawatomie) in February to establish casinos. The compacts were similar to four rejected in the Legislature last year except that the new compacts add Wyandotte County as a location for a gaming facility which would jointly be operated by the four Kansas tribes.

At least four sales contracts are already in the works for properties surrounding the cemetery in the area of 7th Street and Minnesota Avenue.

"It's premature but I know there is an interest and discussions," Smith said.

"The property adjacent to the Indian cemetery is not integral for the project," he said today,"people I represent are contemplating use for the cemetery itself."

"The bodies would be moved elsewhere." he said. "The project is past any speculation stages, the people involved are responsible people, they're serious and there's due diligence. It's at that stage."

According to area historian Susan Kollman Mufich, the land is federally protected land. Mufich was not available for comment today. "I'm not sure I know who they would buy the property from," Smith said. "I have not studied the title, but I don't think its a problem considering the rights the Indian nations have with the respect of the property."

"To my knowledge there is no plan for a casino," he said. "A bingo parlor? They could deal with something like that but there are no plans for bingo either."

Next week he will know more about the project and the plans, he said.

Bob Cotitta, one of the 7th Street and Minnesota Avenue area property owners who has a contract pending, said Tuesday that the B.A. Karbank and Co. has assured him that the buyer they're representing has excellent credentials in building housing projects.

Cotitta said he has been careful to sign a contract with restrictions on the uses of his own property.

"I have executed a contract with significant restrictions," he said. "They include bingo parlors and gambling casinos which I am not in favor of."

Cotitta, whose company, Capital Development Corp., 636 Minnesota Ave., owns a vacant restaurant next to the former Security Bank on that corner, stated he is restricted to maintain confidentiality about the sale

Olin Monsees, an agent for Karbank, commented briefly on the rumors today. "Your article on Sunday covered a lot of bases," he said. "I don't have anything to add..

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Darren Z. English / Chihoatenhwa denglish@sfo.com http://www.sfo.com/~denglish

"CURSED BE THE VILLIAN THAT MOLEST THEIR GRAVES"

Huron Indian Cemetery Preservation Site

Wyandot Nation of Kansas

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