Maria Mulford of Goldengate, Ill., is the founder of the first mobile chapter of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and the only AIM chapter in the Tri-State.
The group formed after last year’s Memorial Day weekend ceremonies in Uniontown when they asked their ancestors’ forgiveness for the atrocities done to their resting place.
The site that caused much controversy more than thirty years ago will continue to be blessed and sealed by prayers during a series of annual ceremonies, which will take place at the mound over the next three years.
In 1987, the burial ground on Slack Farm was disturbed when 10 men dug up the graves for valuable artifacts. The men paid the then owner $10,000 to dig on his land, searching for pots, jewelry, and other items that were buried there.
In total it is estimated that more than 800 graves were disturbed on the 40-acre site.
“What is it that people see something in our remains other than remains?” Mulford asked. “They are my relatives, not artifacts.”
The desecration of this ground created a stir of national discussions about the protection of sacred sites and brought about the NAGPRA act, which provides that all museums and federal agencies will return certain Native American cultural items, like human remains and burial or sacred objects, to lineal descendants, and culturally affiliated Indian tribes.
But this law only applies to federal land or to federally funded programs. And the land known as Slack Farm is privately owned.
“The event is in the past, but the place is still there— unprotected, being farmed,” she said. “We hope the end result, by the time four years are up, is that that burial ground is under state or federal protection.”
To create awareness about the necessity of protecting sacred burial grounds everywhere and about the Native American culture as a whole, Mulford and her group are organizing a new year of ceremonies to take place in Uniontown on May 22 to May 25 this year.
Many of the events will be open to the public, including a 4-day sweat lodge ceremony and meal times. This Native American group invites the public to their Cherokee-style kitchen. “You bring your own utensils.”
“(This) is still not an important issue in the Tri-State, but it should be,” said Mulford. While there are no federal tribes here, she notes there are many who continue living the culture. “The more people come and hear and take it home with them, the more it will be (important).”
The AIM chapter’s ultimate goal is to create better awareness.
“What would America be without Indians?” Mulford asked. “The ones buried in that cemetery are the ones history is written about. They are the epitome of our history.”
Anyone wishing to volunteer or donate food and supplies for this year’s Ancestors’ Days ceremonies should contact Mulford at (618) 842-7178 or Mike Aakhus at (812) 464-1855.
A schedule of events will be published at a later date.
