THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
A question of identity
Comanche Nation says professor shouldn't benefit from unsubstantiated heritage
The Comanche Nation has disputed the claims of a KU professor that he is a Comanche Indian, and accused him of benefiting professionally and financially from his unconfirmed ethnicity.
Ray Pterotti, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology who also teaches in the indigenous nations studies program, told The University Daily Kansan in an e-mail that he has never identified himself as an officially enrolled member of the tribe. However, he has claimed to be Comanche in numerous public forums and in a federal discrimination lawsuit he and his wife, Cynthia Annett, filed against the University of Kansas.
While Ray Pierotti acknowledges he is not an enrolled Comanche, he claims Comanche ethnicity, which has a role in
University hiring and personnel matters.
University hiring and Although at one time being an ethnic minority could result in discrimination, today it can be an attractive asset to job applicants as universities seek to increase diversity among faculty and staff. The University keeps track of the ethnic makeup of faculty, but
Pierotti
equal-opportunity officers said faculty and applicants identified their own ethnicity and the university, unlike tribal authorities, did not require them to provide evidence. Racial and ethnic identity have long been contentious issues. The issue has become more prevalent since equal opportunity
laws have passed and Americans have been asked to identify their racial and ethnic backgrounds more frequently.
Pierotti, who said in an e-mail that he was not teaching this semester because he was on "bereavement-related Family Medical Leave," declined repeated requests by The Kansan to discuss his ethnicity or the allegations that have been raised against him. One of his brothers, David Pierotti, said in a telephone interview from his home in California that their mother told him that her mother was a Comanche from Oklahoma. However, another brother, Nick Pierotti, and an uncle and cousin said that Pierotti's great-grandparents on their mother's side were Polish and immigrated to the United States from Europe.
Comanche Nation officials have sent
two letters to KU administrators, the latest to the Chancellor's Office in January, informing the University that Pierotti was not an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. In the January letter, they asked the University to post disclaimers on publications or Web sites that identify Pierotti as Comanche. Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Provost Richard Lariviere declined requests for interviews to discuss Pierotti's claims or the Comanche Nation letters.
Students of Pierotti's said that he had been a great mentor who had gone out of his way to help them and had brought an Indigenous perspective to the science curriculum. Clouding the debate are claims by David and Ray Pierotti that a family dispute over the care of their late father, who died in October, motivated their brother Nick
to send an e-mail alleging that Ray Pierotti is not ethnic Comanche as he claims to be. The e-mail was sent in late October to people in several departments at KU including The Kansan and to offices of several other Native American Studies departments and tribal organizations across the United States.
Official enrollment in a tribe is controlled by tribal governments, who see it as their sovereign right to determine their own members. Enrollment typically requires proof of a percentage of Native blood and can carry with it tribal voting rights, access to benefits and a share of financial rewards in tribal businesses and land.
SEE PROFESSOR ON PAGE 4A
CAMPUS
Fundraising event to benefit those with MS
A communications class is putting on a charity bowling event and a beer pong tournament to benefit multiple sclerosis on Saturday. Multiple sclerosis affects 400,000 Americans, including KU student Kelly Mesi. Mesi's friend, Taryn Myers helped persuade her class to create the fundraisers.
FULL STORY ON PAGE 3A
COMPETITION
Debate team finishes season in first place
Say hello to Kansas' newest national champion. The KU debate team finished its season atop the national rankings by earning the most points out of any university during the season. The hard work paid off for team members, some who practiced for as many as 50 hours a week.
FULL STORY ON PAGE 8A
weather
66 44 A.M. showers
index
SATURDAY
60 38
Windy
69 45 Partly cloudy
Classifieds...4B
Crossword...6A
Horoscopes...6A
Opinion...7A
Sports...1B
Sudoku...6A
All contents, unless stated otherwise,
© 2008 The University Daily Kansan
SOCCER
Football friendship
Former KU soccer player Nicole Cauzillo, left, and Birtukan of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia forged a quick friendship when the two met. Cauzillo traveled to Ethiopia with a semi-pro soccer team on a religious mission trip. Cauzillo and Birtukan traded jersies after playing each other and on plan on reuniting when Cauzillo returns to Addis Ababa this December and again if Birtukan can gain a visa to come to the U.S. to play in Charlotte, N.C.
Contributed Photos
*
FULL STORY ON PAGE 1B