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THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2001

In what may be the oddest repatriation claim ever, a California man who says he is a descendant of a Polynesian chief wants Kennewick Man returned to him, not to tribes or scientists.

In court papers filed this week, Joseph P. Siofele, also known as Paramount Chieftan Faumuina, says the 9,300-year-old Kennewick Man is descended from Polynesians who migrated to the Americas.

Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt ordered the bones repatriated to five Pacific Nortthwest tribes. A group of scientists are challenging the determination because they want to study the bones.

Get the Story:
Man who says he's descendant of Polynesian ruler claims rights to Kennewick Man's skeletal remains (AP 7/25)

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

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Kennewick Man trial opens (6/20)
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Kennewick Man debate focus of article (6/4)
Govt files Kennewick Man brief (5/18)
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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)
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Kennewick won't yield DNA (8/7)
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