U.S.
US Army to work on disinterring Native American remains this week from Carlisle Barracks
The Sentinel
June 15, 2021
The main entrance sign to Carlisle Barracks and the U.S. Army War College. (Scott Finger/U.S. Army War College Public Affairs)
CARLISLE, Pa. (Tribune News Service) — This week, the U.S. Army will conduct the fourth project to disinter the remains of Native Americans who attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and were buried at the Carlisle Barracks.
The effort will start Saturday at the cemetery.
The Army said Tuesday it anticipates bringing closure to one Alaskan Native family and nine Native American families whose children died after being sent to the school, which opened in 1879 and closed in 1918.
“The Army’s commitment remains steadfast to these nine Native American families and one Alaskan Native family. Our objective is to reunite the families with their children in a manner of utmost dignity and respect,” said Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of Army National Military Cemeteries.
The Office of Army Cemeteries will disinter the remains and transfer custody to families who are able to establish the closest family link between the decedent and the requestor. The transfer will enable families to return the children to cemeteries of their choice.
The Army will also reimburse families for their travel to participate in a ceremony, as well as fund the cost for transport and re-interment of the children.
The Carlisle Barracks post cemetery will be closed to visitors this week during set-up and until the effort is complete, which is estimated to be around July 17. The cemetery will also be closed off with privacy fencing during this time.
The children who will be disinterred during the latest effort are Dennis Strikes First (Blue Tomahawk); Rose Long Face ( Little Hawk); Lucy Take The Tail ( Pretty Eagle); Warren Painter (Bear Paints Dirt); Ernest Knocks Off (White Thunder); Maud Little Girl (Swift Bear); Alvan, aka Roaster, Kills Seven Horses, One That Kills Seven Horses; Friend Hollow Horn Bear; and Dora Her Pipe (Brave Bull), all from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe; and Sophia Tetoff, an Alaskan Aleut.
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