Reburying human bodies

Providing honourable burial for looted bones
Restoring bones from archaeological collections

Implementation

In 1999 Huron Indians were able to rebury their ancestors thrown into a pit in 1636 without ceremony, dignity or prayers – and from which they had been unceremoniously removed by Canadian archaeologists in 1947-8. When Hurons died, they were buried in temporary graves. Every 10 or 15 years, the graves were dug up, and the bones were collected and carried to a central place where many communities gathered for what they called the Feast of the Dead.

Claim

"It is important to return our people to their rightful resting place. According to our customs, the most horrible crime is to open a grave -- We won't have any future if we don't respect our past."

Counter-claim

Reburying human bodies is a trivial concern in the grand scheme of societal issues. With pressing matters like climate change, poverty, and healthcare demanding our attention, fixating on the reburial of remains distracts from real progress. The energy and resources spent on this topic could be better utilized addressing urgent global challenges. Let’s prioritize what truly matters and leave the past where it belongs, instead of getting bogged down in the minutiae of burial practices.