This statement was delivered by a representative of the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, Inc., immediately prior to a session of the symposium “There and Back Again: Celebrating the Career and Ongoing Contributions of Patricia B. Richards” at the Society for American Archaeology annual meeting, 21 April 2024. While not part of the official program, it was presented with the consent of those present in the room. The statement honors the dignity and resilience of various ancestors, including individuals born into enslavement, immigrants, Civil War soldiers, vulnerable children, and women who faced systemic barriers. It addresses the ethical responsibilities of archaeologists and other professionals handling human remains, emphasizing consent, transparency, and respect. The document calls for the uplift of these Ancestors with reverence, highlighting the moral obligations of contemporary researchers to descendant communities.
