DNA Gatherers Hit Snag: Tribes Don't Trust Them
Among one of the Native's main concerns is that actual data of their tribe's origins may disprove myths about the Grand Canyon being their Mother! Or something.
And like good citizens they are just as ignorant about pre-historic times as the average white American!
(I thought that was common knowledge. Maybe they only teach that in Jamaica!)
Among one of the Native's main concerns is that actual data of their tribe's origins may disprove myths about the Grand Canyon being their Mother! Or something.
Some American Indians trace their suspicions to the experience of the Havasupai Tribe, whose members gave DNA for a diabetes study that University of Arizona researchers later used to link the tribe’s ancestors to Asia. To tribe members raised to believe the Grand Canyon is humanity’s birthplace, the suggestion that their own DNA says otherwise was deeply disturbing.
But almost every federally recognized tribe in North America has declined or ignored Dr. Schurr’s invitation to take part. “What the scientists are trying to prove is that we’re the same as the Pilgrims except we came over several thousand years before,” said Maurice Foxx, chairman of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs and a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag. “Why should we give them that openly?”



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