Reflection: Which Right is Right: Kennewick Man

This lesson seemed to be well received. Everyone had an opinion to share. It doesn't hurt that the topic has a lot of emotional content with it.

I have taught this lesson for several years and I still can't decide which side is right. I suppose I would prefer a compromise of a limited amount of time to study the remains and then have it interred.

Positives:

• good engagement
• plenty of time
• my large class before lunch behaved well and were engaged

Negatives:

• I need to consider staggering the lessons so I don't tech the same thing three times in a row. I think I would be better if I was teaching something different at least for one of the three classes.

Essential Question: 

1. Should scientists be allowed to study the remains of indigenous peoples?

Engage: 

• What would you think if a scientist dug up the remains of your ancestor?
• On occasion, archaeologists have dug up the remains of ancient Native Americans. Should scientists be allowed to study these remains? Native Americans feel such remains should be immediately reburied according to Native American customs. Scientists worry that if reburied, the remains will deteriorate and lose their value for present and future scientific study.

Explore: 

• Discover Magazine: The Earliest Immigrants video (25:02)

Elaborate: 

• The Kennewick Man Finally Freed to Share His Secrets Smithsonian.com Sept. 2014
• Easy to read copy of above article.
• Kennewick Man Wikipedia Article

Evaluate:

• How did this story evolve over time?
• What eventually happened to Kennewick Man?
• What should have been done with the remains?
• What would you want to have done with the remains if they were your ancestor?
• According to the map below, what indigenous people group use to live here in southwest Missouri? 
• What should you do if you find the remains of an indigenous person?

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Early_Localization_Native_Americans_USA.jpg

Extension:

• Who Owns the Past? Documentary (56:14)