The group of scientists who won the right to study the remains of the 9,000-year-old Kennewick Man said a Senate bill could stop their work.

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) is sponsoring S.536, described as a technical corrections act. It would change the definition of "Native American" under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to clarify that the law applies to remains and artifacts of tribes that are, or were, indigenous to the United States.

The change came about due to battle over Kennewick Man. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the definition of Native American doesn't apply to remains or artifacts that may or may not be connected to present-day tribes.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which McCain chairs, will hold an oversight hearing on NAGPRA on July 28.

Get the Story:
Fate of Kennewick Man study unclear (The Seattle Times 7/15)
Kennewick Man gives up secrets (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 7/15)
Experts wrap up analysis of Kennewick Man (The Mid Columbia Tri City Herald 7/15)

NAGPRA Amendment Bill:
S.536: Technical Corrections Act

Court Decision:
BONNICHSEN v. US (February 4, 2004)

Relevant Links:
Kennewick Man, Department of Interior - http://www.cr.nps.gov/aad/kennewick
Friends of America's Past - http://www.friendsofpast.org
Kennewick Man Virtual Interpretive Center, The Tri-City (Washington) Herald - http://www.kennewick-man.com

Related Stories:
Scientists begin study of Kennewick Man remains (7/11)
NAGPRA amendment up for hearing in Senate (07/06)
Column: Hearing slated on two-word change to NAGPRA (06/24)
Scientists get ready to study Kennewick Man (6/21)
Tribe says NAGPRA amendment will right a wrong (04/19)
Opinion: McCain bill will block study of ancient remains (04/14)
Scientists oppose McCain bill to change NAGPRA (04/08)
Panel approves Native Hawaiian, NAGPRA changes (03/10)
NAGPRA change up for Senate consideration again (3/9)
Tribes seek role in Kennewick Man proceedings (02/16)
Campbell-backed bill adds two words to NAGPRA (10/1)
Battle over Kennewick Man study far from over (08/02)
Editorial: Let Kennewick Man speak! (say what?) (07/22)
Column: Kennewick Man belongs to everyone (7/21)
Tribes to seek restrictions on Kennewick Man study (7/20)
Tribes drop Kennewick Man claim in court (7/20)
Repatriation process criticized at Senate hearing (07/15)
Editorial: It's about time Kennewick Man case ends (04/29)
Tribes debate next step in Kennewick Man case (04/27)
Kennewick rehearing denied (4/21)
Court rules scientists can study Kennewick Man (02/05)
Kennewick Man battle back in court (9/8)
Tribes file opening brief in Kennewick Man case (03/19)
Appeals court asked to stop Kennewick Man tests (01/23)
Norton treads uncharted waters over remains (4/11)