Posted by [EMAIL PROTECTED] : [EMAIL PROTECTED] replies: San Antonio Express News Thursday, November 25, 1999 Long trek for bones is ended Reburial begins today at Mission San Juan By Joseph Barrios Express-News Staff Writer Human remains that date to the 1700s are to be reburied starting today in a ceremony at Mission San Juan after a final legal challenge to the ritual was rejected in federal court. The remains of more than 90 people were excavated from the mission in the late 1960s by archaeologists from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Most are believed to be Coahuiltecans, members of South Texas Indian groups who helped build the mission, which was started in the 18th century by Spanish priests. The American Indians in Texas-At the Spanish Colonial Missions, a nonprofit group whose members claim to be descended from the Coahuiltecans, have sought the return of the bones for several years. "Our mood is peaceful," said Ramon Vasquez, a member of the group. "It's long overdue." He added, "We believe our families have been desecrated and they'll be given dignity and respect as they're being reinterred." Vasquez said the remains were returned this month in pieces and shards in about 110 cardboard boxes of different sizes. Getting the remains returned has not been easy for the group. In 1997, the American Indians in Texas filed a claim with the Bureau of Indian Affairs seeking the return of the bones, which have been used in museum displays and in scientific studies over the past 30 years. According to an agreement with the Texas Historical Commission, UTSA and the Archdiocese of San Antonio, the remains have to be reburied by the end of this year. This week, another Indian group tried to halt the ceremony by asking for a temporary restraining order in federal court. The request was filed by Joe Ricky Mendoza and the Pamaque Band of the San Juan Mission Indians, who claim their ancestors were buried at the mission. Arthur Vega, Mendoza's attorney, said the method of reburial would be disrespectful. The request states the remains will be wrapped in red cloth and buried together in a shallow grave. "He wants his ancestors reburied as they were buried many, many years ago with the proper rituals and respects of the Native Americans and not as they plan to do it," Vega said. U.S. District Judge H.F. "Hippo" Garcia granted the restraining order on Tuesday and dissolved it on Wednesday. Garcia could not be reached for comment. Thomas Drought, attorney for the archdiocese who asked the judge to dissolve the restraining order, would not comment on the proceedings. Father Balthasar Janecek, the liaison between the mission parishes, said "anybody can get a restraining order" and that he was glad the ceremony can take place. "I think it's something we've all looked forward to accomplish, to be able to give those spirits a chance to rest," Janecek said. Vasquez's group, which is coordinating the ceremonies, would not release details about the burial. "We're not at liberty to talk about the process other than that we're doing it in the most respectful way we can," he said. "It's the only thing we can do for these remains and just provide them with the dignity they deserve after so many years of destruction."' Vasquez said the burial ceremony that begins at sunset is open only to neighbors and those who are descendants of Mission Indians. He said the remains will be buried near unfinished church foundation walls on the east side of the mission compound. A public Mass in honor of the reburial is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Mission San Juan. Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<> Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<>
