Tribes remember ancient Kennewick Man 20 years after discovery

Representatives of area tribes gathered Thursday morning on the banks of the calm Columbia River where the bones of Kennewick Man were found 20 years ago to the day.

The tribes mourn for him, Armand Minthorn, a board member of the Umatilla Tribes, said in a statement.

“He is our ancestor, and yet he lies in a museum rather than to rest with his people,” he said. “It’s been 20 years, and he is still being denied his right to a proper burial.”

The tribal members held a traditional Washat religious service, with seven songs followed by words spoken by those attending the private ceremony.

Two college students discovered the 8,400-year-old bones of the man the tribes call “the Ancient One,” as they waded along the banks of the Columbia River in Kennewick during the 1996 Water Follies.

To the tribes’ dismay, a judge allowed scientists to study the bones, questioning whether they were affiliated with Native Americans.

Recent improvements in DNA testing led to a a finding by experts at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark that pointed to a link to Native Americans.

The DNA was compared with DNA of the Confederate Tribes of the Colville reservation, who are closely associated with other Columbia Basin tribes, including the Yakamas, the Umatillas, the Wanapum Band and the Nez Perce.

The Army Corps has started a process expected to repatriate the bones to the five tribes, all of whom were represented at the Thursday anniversary gathering.

Congress also is considering legislation that could speed the process of turning over the bones to the tribes.

“The Ancient One’s Native American identity has been proven beyond a doubt,” said Aaron Ashley, a board member of the Umatilla Tribes, in a statement. “It is time to expedite the return process so he can properly be laid to rest.”

This story was originally published July 28, 2016 at 12:19 PM with the headline "Tribes remember ancient Kennewick Man 20 years after discovery."