A deeply concerning report was recently published by The Harvard Crimson newspaper, revealing a distressing truth about Harvard University’s possession of human remains belonging to thousands of Native American individuals and 19 African Americans, who are believed to have been enslaved. We have a moral obligation to stand against such injustice and work towards a just and inclusive society.

We have an opportunity to right a historical wrong and support the cause of cultural preservation.

Harvard University, renowned for its pursuit of knowledge and advancement, finds itself in a situation that warrants immediate attention. Shockingly, Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology currently holds the remains of approximately 7,000 Indigenous individuals that belong to tribes across the nation.

What’s even more troubling is that retaining these human remains goes against federal laws and ethical standards. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) explicitly mandates that cultural objects and human remains must be returned to their rightful tribal communities for respectful reburial. Harvard’s noncompliance with this federal law is a clear violation of the rights and dignity of Indigenous peoples.

This is where your support becomes crucial. By signing this letter of support demanding Harvard return these 7,000 Indigenous bones to their respective tribes, you can help rectify this injustice and bring much-needed attention to this matter.

It’s time to urge Harvard to fulfill its obligations under federal law and take a meaningful step towards reconciliation. Every signature counts, and together, we can make a lasting impact.