This became a major issue due to the fact that in order for NAGPRA to apply, Native American tribal groups must be able to provide evidence that the remains discovered had been buried on what was once or currently. Thus in the eyes of the Native American community, to deny their claims of being the descendants of the Kennewick man equates to denying their religion and traditions. (Jones 2005 cited by Sayer 2010: 112). This is due to the fact that according to oral tradition and religious beliefs, their ancestors were placed there over 10,000 years ago however the Supreme Court did not rule oral tradition as viable evidence of that particular tribe inhabiting the region at that time (Herman 2015: 181). Thus while NAGPRA was created to settle
