Efforts intensify for dignified reburial of ancestral remains

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the historical significance and current status of ancestral remains held by the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) in Guam. The remains, primarily from the Horn Basel collection, were returned by the Bishop Museum in the 1990s, following a legislative effort led by Senator Franklin Quiitigua. This collection includes 311 individuals, of which only 18 are complete skeletons, and does not include grave objects.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to provide a dignified resting place for these remains, which have been stored in temporary facilities since their return. Officials emphasized that the remains were disturbed during their initial collection, which involved military transport, and have not yet been given a proper burial. The DCA is working towards establishing a national shrine, known as the NafTAN, to honor these ancestors, although the exact origins of the remains are difficult to determine, complicating the reburial process.

The NafTAN aims to provide a respectful memorial and burial site, as current laws require that any newly discovered ancestral remains be reinterred at their site of discovery or nearby. However, due to the challenges in identifying the original locations of the Horn Basel remains, the NafTAN will serve as a general monument for these ancestors, ensuring they receive the dignity and respect they deserve. The meeting underscored the importance of addressing the historical injustices faced by these individuals and the need for a suitable solution to honor their legacy.