And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: * From: Tusweca <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gravesite fight heads for trial By Monica Whitaker / Tennessean Staff Writer http://www.tennessean.com/sii/99/06/15/roadwork15.shtml FRANKLIN -- The state's Commission on Indian Affairs and more than a dozen Native American residents can square off against state transportation officials over an ancient gravesite in the path of road construction, a Circuit Court judge decided yesterday. Judge Russ Heldman will hear native representatives' evidence in an unprecedented trial starting June 25. At stake are the 800-year-old remains of two Native American infants unearthed in Williamson County near Hillsboro Road and Old Hickory Boulevard. Also at stake is "progress." If Native Americans with no clear blood ties to a specific body can object in court every time construction crews hit an Indian grave, "it will make building roads, building properties nearly impossible," said assistant state Attorney General John Sinclair. "I've seen so many desecrations of my ancestors because they say, 'Progress,' " Nashville resident Medicine Bird Black Bear White Eagle told the judge. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The judge also ruled that the Commission on Indian Affairs could stand in court against the Tennessee Department of Transportation because it holds its own "interest." State lawmakers created the commission to promote Native American cultural and spiritual rights. Until now, courts had held that that "interest" standing was reserved for blood relatives and could not be claimed by a tribe or a group representing several tribes. Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&