Season 1 // Episode 5: Esther
/And a law called NAGPRA.
From the 1940s until the 1970s, one of the most well-known exhibits in Mesa Verde's museum contained a human body - the mummified remains of a young woman known as Esther.
Even today, people have vivid memories of Esther. Visitors to the park often ask why she was removed from display, and where she went.
“The dead aren’t collectibles. They aren’t objects to own. That’s true no matter whose ancestors you’re talking about. ”
In this episode, we'll hear Esther's story and learn about the long pattern of mistreatment it represents, where thousands of Native Americans were removed from their graves and carted off to museums. And we’ll learn about how tribal advocates and a powerful federal law have changed the trajectory in recent years, returning Esther and thousands of others to rest.
We'll hear from Leigh Kuwanwisiwma (Hopi), Kathy Fine-Dare of Fort Lewis College, Julie Coleman of the San Juan National Forest, and Brian Vallo (Acoma).
Additional Resources
Episode Sources/Additional Reading
"Interpreting an Absence: Esther's Legacy at Mesa Verde National Park." Kathleen S Fine-Dare and Bryanna N. Durkee. 2012.
"A proper reburial at Mesa Verde." Electra Draper. The Denver Post. 24 April 2006.
"Anasazi skeletons to be reburied." Deborah Frazier. Rocky Mountain News/Deseret News. 21 April 1998.
“Native American Perspectives on Repatriation.” C-SPAN. 19 Nov 2014.
“IARC Speaker Series 2016: NAGPRA Then and Now.” SAR School for Advanced Research. 23 March 2016.