Last Rites For Indian Dead

Solution

Last Rites For Indian Dead

1. What is the issue Harjo identifies? How extensive does she show it to be?

The issue that is identified is organizations are displaying her dead relatives or putting them in boxes to be cut up just for scientific research. She tells how extensive it is by stating how many people are being used for these researches.

2. What is Harjo’s position on the issue? Where does she first state her position?

Her position on this issue is American Indians having dehumanizing laws while other Americans have proper rites and laws. She first states this in the thesis by saying “there are too many laws of the kind that make us the archaeological property of the United States and too few of the kind that protect us from such insults.”

3. What evidence does Harjo present to refute the claim that housing skeletal remains of Native Americans in museums is necessary for medical research and may benefit living Indians?

She states that “These journal accounts exist in excruciating detail, yet missing are any records of overall comparisons, conclusions, or final reports of the Army study. Since it is unlike the Army not to leave a paper trail, one must wonder about the motive for its collection.”

4. What assumptions do you think Harjo makes about her audience?

She assumes the readers do not know or care about what went down with her ancestors.

5. What types of evidence does Harjo use to support her argument? How convincing is the evidence to you?

The evidence is the amount of Native Americans that were placed in museums for research and study, following with the profits made off of this. It is very convincing to me.

6. How does Harjo use her status as a Native American to enhance her position? Would her argument be as credible if it were written by someone of another background?

I feel that her status as a Native American makes it even more traumatizing because her emotions and feelings are involved which can connect the readers. If it was another race, I feel like it would not be as dramatic.

7. How does Harjo appeal to the emotions of readers in the essay? In what ways do these strategies strengthen her logical reasons?

She appeals to the emotions of the readers by showing the connection with her family. It makes the readers more sympathetic to the action that is taking place by showing they are humans too and this is real life.

8. Why does Harjo discuss what legislatures and universities are doing in response to the situation?

I think she adds this information because by showing that if big Universities will do it, then smaller organizations and colleges will follow behind them.