Last Rites of Indian Dead

1. Harjo issue is with the government using the remains of Native Americans for display and research without consent of the relatives. She shows it to be very extensive when she say that the number of remains used for these purposes outnumber the living relatives.
2. Harjo position is that it is wrong and for the Native American people it goes against their religious beliefs. To me it is clearly stated in the first paragraph with the way she worded her questions to the reader.
3. The major point to refuting the claim of medically necessary is the comment from the former assistant Surgeon General where he states to no knowledge of medical diagnosis of treatment from the research of the remains
4. Her main assumption about her audience is that they all are going to have the same sympathy for the Indians or that the numbers that she uses will impact the reader.
5. The evidence she uses is figures and comments that can easily be verified. The evidence convinces me that this issue is big and that it needs to be addressed.
6. Harjo uses her status as a Native American by putting a personal touch to the article. I think given the fact that she supported her argument with facts and figures it would still be credible even if she was not of Native American descent .
7. She appeals to the emotions of the reader by putting in the personal touch with her family connection. She also makes people realize that it just isn’t about bones , it is about someones family. I think it strengthens her reasons, because you know she cares and she isn’t just writing a story.
8. I think she discusses what the legislature and universities are doing to let the reader know change is coming. It isn’t perfect yet but at least a change has started and that the families of these Native Americans will finally be able to put their family members to rest