Op-ed: "Utah’s disdain for Native heritage breaks my heart" By Kevin T. Jones

[bluedigger]

Utahns pride themselves on being different, even exemplary, in their community spirit, neighborliness and respect for others.

Why, then, do our elected officials show indifference, and even contempt for the Native American archaeological treasures that grace our state? Utah is known for its exquisite rock art, cliff dwellings and dry desert caves. The state has some of the most spectacular, well-preserved and information-rich archaeological sites in North America, and perhaps the world.

People in many places revere and protect their archaeological resources, see them as treasures, and build economies around them. Machu Picchu, Stonehenge, Mesa Verde, the Great Wall, and many more come to mind. Utah, renowned as an archaeological wonder, chooses to ignore and neglect its heritage. And it breaks my heart.

Utah was one of the first states to protect archaeological sites from vandalism and unnecessary damage, and in 1973 established the Antiquities Section and the office of the State Archaeologist. Just a few years ago, that position was eliminated. Belt tightening, they said.

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2770540-155/op-ed-utahs-disdain-for-native-heritage

Mr. Jones is the past State of Utah Archaeologist.

[Judi Lynn]

1. The memory of the way European descended people have massacred & tormented

the original people who were already here is still so fresh in the minds of sane, good-hearted people. Those who are so small-minded and egotistical they believe the world was formed to be their personal planet have been running the government at too many local levels, as well as the federal level far, far too long.

Nothing can be said in defense of those who refuse to recognize and honor innocent beings who got in the road of genocidal, thieving, greedy monsters like the ones who decided not to ask to share but to wipe out an entire nation of people who were already here.

How long WILL it take?

Mr. Jones is write to keep this information alive and circulating. One day the world will turn and the monsters will fade away, and the rest of us will want to know everything we can about these long-suffering, and decent people.