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JUNE 20, 2001

A federal judge in Oregon on Tuesday heard opening arguments in a trial seeking to control the fate of Kennewick Man, a 9,000-year-old Native man discovered in Washington in 1996.

Judge John Jelderks says he will focus on now the Department of Interior determined Kennewick Man was culturally affiliated to five Pacific Northwest tribes. The determination was crucial to former Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt's decision to repatriate the remains to the tribes.

Oral arguments continue today in Portland.

Get the Story:
Skeleton's fate still unclear: Court hears Kennewick Man debate (The Seattle Times 6/20)
Lawyers argue whether ancient skeleton qualifies as Native American under federal law (AP 6/19)
Kennewick's Native Status Key in Court (AP 6/19)

Kennewick Man Reports and Data:
Kennewick Man (National Park Service)

Relevant Links:
The Kennewick Man case, Friends of America's Past - http://www.friendsofpast.org/kennewick_case.html

Related Stories:
Kennewick Man battle back in court (6/19)
Kennewick Man debate focus of article (6/4)
Govt files Kennewick Man brief (5/18)
Scientists file Kennewick Man brief (4/19)
Kennewick Man lawsuit to proceed (10/26)
Where's the rest of Kennewick Man? (10/02)
Tribes ask scientists not to study Kennewick (09/27)
EDITORIAL: Let scientists study Kennewick (09/27)
Kennewick Man to go to tribes (09/26)
Spirit Cave, Kennewick may share fate (08/17)
Yakama intervention denied (8/10)
Kennewick won't yield DNA (8/7)
Leaders discuss NAGPRA (7/27)
Repatriation panel supported (06/12)
Yakama Nation files Kennewick Man suit (06/01)
Kennewick testing to begin (4/24)