Dispute over Native American cemetery land comes to an end

RACINE (WITI) -- A months-long dispute over a plot of land in a Racine cemetery has come to an end after one family, with intentions to bury a loved one at the site, has decided otherwise. Claims from Native American activists that the plot is sacred burial ground have changed the Meredith family's mind.

"Everything about the entire situation has been unfortunate," said Bill Quackenbush of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Members of Ogichidaa Mawansomag met at Mound Cemetery on Friday, November 15th to perform rituals intended to cleanse the mind. They say they are relieved the Meredith family of Racine will not be purchasing the plot.

Duke Meredith spoke for the family at a press conference Friday, announcing they will drop the efforts to purchase the land amid concerns that Native American remains may be buried there.

"It makes the Ho-Chunk Nation quite glad that there is some honor and respect being shown toward something that, culturally, is very significant to us as a people," said Quackenbush.

Questions remain as to whether the plot is actually part of an Indian burial ground.

"We go back to the state historical society. They work to the extent, as humanely possible, to find all the information they can. They say 'we see no claims at all that this is anywhere near being a burial site," said Racine Mayor John Dickert.

The Meredith's have decided, out of respect for the Ho-Chunk Nation, to bury their loved one elsewhere -- although they don't feel good about it.

"Try and do this for ourselves -- not one ounce of consideration, not one ounce of compassion was there, and that's where we stand today," said Duke Meredith.

Members of the group opposed to the land purchase say they are sympathetic toward the Meredith family and just want to protect the land they believe to be sacred.

Mayor Dickert has asked the group to purchase the plot so this situation doesn't happen again any number of years down the road.