I sent this early this morning and it did not go through. There is
what I believe to be an interesting/exasperating wrinkle to the story
which most list members are not aware of which will clarify that
Willamette can be owned free and clear and that buyers are not placing
themselves in jeopardy.
==================
E.P.,
Steve's explanation is speculation, and I don't agree that speculating
about possible motives is the way to proceed here. New problems and
misunderstandings will be created---as if there haven't been enough
already. ;-) And while I appreciate your support, it also really is
not accurate to state that future purchasers are left hanging in the
wind.
And so...
BRIEF RECENT LEGAL HISTORY OF THE WILLAMETTE METEORITE -- WITH A NEW
CHAPTER FOR WILLAMETTE HISTORY BUFFS
In 1999, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde filed a NAGPRA
(Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) claim to have
the Willamette meteorite returned to Oregon. In a written statement,
Tracy Dugan, a spokeswoman for the Grand Ronde explained, "The
Confederated Tribes is shocked that the American Museum of Natural
History insists upon illegally keeping this important sacred object
which belongs to the history and culture of the Grand Ronde Tribes."
It was further written in the NAGPRA claim, "The only acceptable
resolution of this matter will be through the unconditional
repatriation of the Willamette Meteorite."
In 2000, the American Museum of Natural History did not address the
NAGPRA claim and instead filed a lawsuit in federal court against the
Grand Ronde requesting a declaratory judgement. In the Museum's
claim, it was stated that this matter does not fit the parameters of a
NAGPRA case.
Months later the parties settled. The meteorite remained where it was
and the Museum provided the Grand Ronde signage, paid internships and
an annual private visit.
In 2007, just prior to the Bonhams auction in which the crown section
of Willamette was being offered, an editorial appeared in the Portland
Oregonian, which stated:
"The Grand Ronde don't have time before this month's auction to file a
claim for return of the piece in Pitt's possession, but potential
buyers ought to beware: There just might be a lawsuit looming. It
would seem to us the Grand Ronde tribes have an extremely strong case
under the 1990 federal law intended to help Native Americans reclaim
cultural and religious objects. Whoever buys the precious chunk of
meteorite should consider offering a settlement like the museum did.
And they should promise never to cut the sacred piece of Tomanowos."
I was outraged.
1. The Oregonian stated that the "museum offered a settlement," and
nothing could be further from the truth. The museum sued the Grand
Ronde in federal court in response to the Grand Ronde's NAGPRA claim,
and the Grand Ronde backed off their claim.
2. As the Grand Ronde stated in their NAGPRA claim that the only
solution was the "unconditional repatriation" of the meteorite, and as
this did not occur, how is it that the largest newspaper in Oregon
could state that the Grand Ronde suddenly had a strong case?
3. The notion of "not having enough time" to file additional legal
action was also fatuous. The Grand Ronde was aware of my possession
of this meteorite specimen for at least five years. In addition, I
publicly auctioned many other specimens, sales which were extensively
covered by the media--which included statements by the Grand Ronde--
without a lawsuit or a threat of a lawsuit;
4. Who was the Oregonian's source about there not being enough time
to file legal action? It would have to be someone at the Grand Ronde,
right? But the Grand Ronde stated on their website there would be no
legal action. Could this "editorial" have been phoned in by a rogue
tribe member with clout?
Did I mention that the Grand Ronde is the Portland Oregonian's largest
advertiser?
Two days later the newspaper published an apology for their false
claims and issued a retraction, "The Grand Ronde has no intention of
filing a lawsuit." The Grand Ronde also stated, "Legal action was
never contemplated, and there will be no action taken."
As the Portland Oregonian attacked me for a "lack of class," I
publicly suggested that given the string of untruthful statements made
by the newspaper, and in light of the ad revenues provided by the
Grand Ronde which enrich the newspaper, it seemed clear that if the
Portland Oregonian had any class, they would acquire the specimen and
provide it to the Grand Ronde.
The Portland Oregonian made no effort to do so.
All best / Darryl
And now I need to make the effort to not address this any further for
at least the next several months ;-)
On Dec 11, 2009, at 10:43 AM, E.P. Grondine wrote:
Hi Steve -
You may have it, what the GR lawyers and leaders are thinking. In
any case, the AMNH left Darryl hanging in the wind, AS WELL AS ANY
FUTURE PURCHASERS.
PS - Jason, I hope Steve's explanation makes this clearer to you.
I also hope an honorable and acceptable way out appears. I hope the
AMNH steps up to the plate.
E.P. Grondine
Man and Impact in the Americas
--- On Fri, 12/11/09, Steve Dunklee <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Steve Dunklee <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Willamette
Date: Friday, December 11, 2009, 3:37 AM
The GR most likely did not respond
due to the nature of the current legal process. I would
compare it to buying your stolen item from a pawn shop. the
pawn shop did not know the item was hot and made a legal
purchase. which would also place a monetary value on the
main mass. They can not buy a piece without putting thier
claim to the main mass in jeopardy. there may also be a gag
order in the case by the Judge which would prevent them from
responding.
instead of trying to have the GR buy the piece it
should be returned to the seller with a request for a
refund, as the original sale/trade was illegal.
its like sayinmg to them "hey i just bought your stolen car! would
you like to buy it back?"
have a great day
Steve
--- On Thu, 12/10/09, E.P. Grondine <[email protected]>
wrote:
From: E.P. Grondine <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Willamette
To: [email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected]
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 9:29 AM
Matt -
Just my opinion but it is likely that the slicing was
a
further desecration in their view, so their lack of
response
comes as no surprise.
I don't think Count Deiro's advice is very good. I
would
suggest contacting them again - perhaps parts of the
slice
could be used by them in an appropriate manner.
Ed
--- On Wed, 12/9/09, [email protected]
<[email protected]>
wrote:
From: [email protected]
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Willamette
To: [email protected],
"E.P. Grondine" <[email protected]>,
[email protected],
[email protected]
Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 11:11 PM
The Grand Ronde band of American
Indians own the largest and most profitable
hotel/casino in
Oregon. Anybody who is at least 1/8th GR gets a
percentage
every month . I wouldn't bother either.
Count Deiro
-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Morgan <[email protected]>
Sent: Dec 9, 2009 11:04 PM
To: "E.P. Grondine" <[email protected]>,
[email protected],
[email protected]
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Willamette
FYI, I offered the GR a generous slice of my
Willamette
and they didn't even respond to me. If I were
Darryl,
I wouldn't even bother.
Matt Morgan
------Original Message------
From: E.P. Grondine
Sender: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Willamette
Sent: Dec 9, 2009 8:44 PM
Darryl -
May I suggest to you that perhaps it would be
best
to
find a buyer for the Willamette piece who wanted
a tax
write
off for gifting it back to the Grand Ronde
peoples? I
don't
know their financial situation, or plans, but I
would
suggest contacting their elders as well before
doing
anything.
E.P. Grondine
Man and Impact in the Americas
Depth of Field Management | 1501 Broadway Suite 1304 | New York,
New York 10036 | 212.302.9200
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