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

From: dbeatty <dbeatty_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:54:03 2004
Message-ID: <3.0.3.32.20020209160100.006bb9b4_at_pop3.internetcds.com>

I find that the Chassigny meteorite is quite spiritual. I want everyone to
send me their specimens!! <wink>
Dennis

At 02:25 PM 02/09/2002 -0800, Ron Baalke wrote:
>
>
>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 15=BD-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.
>
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Received on Sat 09 Feb 2002 07:01:00 PM PST