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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)