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Ceremony at Wickliffe Mounds Completes Reburial Process for Native American Remains

Shelly Baskin
/
WKMS News

Hundreds of people gathered in Wickliffe Kentucky today for a public ceremony to mark the end of a long battle by Native Americans to have their ancestors’ remains reburied in accordance with tribal traditions. The remains were removed from the Wickliffe Native American Burial Mounds by archeologists several decades ago, and at one point were even displayed to the public. Chickasaw Nation Lieutenant Governor Jefferson Keel says the display was disrespectful. He says,

“The idea that you could display human remains for monetary… and charge admission to that… was disgusting. It’s disgraceful to me.”

The public ceremony comes a year after the actual reburial, which took place in a private ceremony led by the Chickasaw Nation. Keel says it took years of effort and negotiations with archeologists and state leaders to re-inter the bodies. Keel feels relieved now that the remains are at rest.

Shelly Baskin works in MSU's Office of Regional Outreach and is a graduate student in Occupational Safety and Health. A roustabout from Memphis, Tennessee, Shelly first found his way into WKMS through the newsroom back in 2011 through luck, charm and force of will. Though he left news for another position, he still enjoys working on independent radio projects and volunteering for the station. He’s an avid disc golfer and occasional real golfer and is terrible at both. A lover of all things musical, Shelly is always ready to hear something new and unique.
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