[meteorite-list] Tribal Leaders Upset By Sale Of Meteorite Fragments

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:54:02 2004
Message-ID: <200202092225.OAA26939_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/oregon/index.ssf?/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?o0033_BC_OR--Meteorite&&news&ornews

Tribal leaders upset by sale of meteorite fragments
The Associated Press
February 9, 2002

GRAND RONDE, Ore. (AP) -- Grand Ronde tribal officials say they are saddened
that pieces of the 15½-ton Willamette Meteorite, which they consider sacred,
will be auctioned this weekend in Tucson, Ariz.

The meteorite is the largest ever found in the United States. It was
discovered 100 years ago in West Linn and was donated to the American Museum
of Natural History in 1906.

It is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
The pieces are among more than 100 meteorite specimens being auctioned by
Darryl Pitt, curator of the Macovich Collection of Meteorites.

He obtained one piece from the U.S. museum about four years ago and the
other from the Natural History Museum in London about two months ago.

"The tribe is saddened that there are people who would try to personally
profit from selling pieces of the meteorite," according to a written
statement the Grand Ronde issued Friday.

The tribe said it won't buy the pieces because it "refuses to participate in
or encourage the marketing of spiritually significant items."

Tribal officials said Pitt should give the pieces to the tribe.

Pitt said he has "the greatest respect for the Grand Ronde's beliefs." He
suggested to American Museum of Natural History officials "that they
purchase the specimens in my possession at a low price and just give these
specimens to the Grand Ronde," Pitt said. "The American Museum was not
interested in doing so."

Two years ago, the Grand Ronde asked the New York museum to return the space
rock, saying it was spiritually significant to the tribe. The tribe and
museum settled their dispute with an agreement that allows the Grand Ronde
access to the meteorite to hold religious and cultural ceremonies.

The meteorite was considered a powerful cleansing and healing source to
tribal members.
Received on Sat 09 Feb 2002 05:25:18 PM PST