Scientists as Modern Colonialists:
The Ancient One and Jack Metcalf
Macdonald Stainsby
originally written for Left Hook
circa 2004.
A recent ruling on the “Kennewick man” bones has deep implications as yet another in a long line of scientific attacks on indigenous sovereignty. The recent court decision that the local Indians do not control the bones despite the non-ambiguous nature of laws passed on agreements between the nation and the American state is one more salt-grinding demonstration that sovereignty of First Nations is not something that a North American government is bound to respect. Not only is the ruling a legal blast to the existing treaties and legislation, it is proof that the “above politics” nature of “honest scientific inquiry” is a total hoax. Before we know it, this will allow a tidal wave of racist reaction from first-to-fifth generation settlers about First Nations not really being “first”.