Category Archives: Reflections

Reflections on how we feel and how the mission is changing us

Falfurrias Butter

Community, Human Rights, Migrant Death, Reflections

My first day in Texas was a whirl wind of activity. After an early morning flight into San Antonio, we still had a three hour drive down to Falfurrias. We piled all of our luggage into the soccer mom minivan that we rented for the trip and hit the road. After about 10 minutes into our drive we saw a sign for the Alamo and decided to take a quick detour. This had been one of the things I wanted to see while I was in Texas, so I was really excited to have a chance to go. The Alamo chapel was a lot smaller than I was expecting it to be, but no less impressive. I’ve only ever seen pictures of the Alamo in text books, so seeing this piece of American history in the flesh, was incredible.

After snapping a few pictures of the chapel, we ventured inside the compound to look at the gardens. We spent some time walking around and looking at the various monuments and plaques that held facts about the Alamo. At the end of this little detour I was beginning to learn how unforgiving the Texas sun could be.

Group picture in front of the Alamo

Later that day, after we made it to Falfurrias and checked into our hotel rooms, we made a trip to the La Mota Ranch. The Lasater family owns this ranch and was kind enough to invite us all over for dinner that night. For those of you who don’t know, the Lasater family founded the town of Falfurrias. This family also owned and founded a creamery that produced Falfurrias Butter. It’s this butter that made the town a familiar name across the state. The modern day Lasater’s are a very charming couple. They wowed us with good food and tales about their adventures around the world.

At some point in the night the conversation turned over to the issue that has been plaguing the Falfurrias community over the last couple of years. The Lasaters began to share their experiences with the undocumented border crossers they had come across on their ranch. They expressed nothing but concern for the people who were technically trespassing on their property. While listening to these stories, it hit me then how deeply this affects the entire Falfurrias community. It’s not just the UBCs, forensic scientists, investigators, and other legal entities that are affected by this issue. It’s everyone. This crisis affects all the ranch owners and everyone who is working to find a solution to end this crisis.

Amanda

Dignity of the Dead

Human Rights, Migrant Death, Reflections

In addition to packing, I am also spending the evening reading the “Protocol Development for the Standardization of Identification and Examination of UBC Bodies Along the U.S.-Mexico Border: A Best Practices Manual”.  These suggested best practices were adopted by Texas last week and provide an outline for the recovery and identification of unidentified migrants.  Part of our trip back to Falfurrias includes a training session on forensic archeology for local law enforcement, which is suggested in the manual. “All entities involved in the recovery of UBC remains should introduce basic training programs and instruction on different aspects of evidence collection, including recovery techniques.”

While the manual contains basic information on proper protocol, it is also laden with reminders of the seriousness of the situation. The fact that these counties are “faced with disaster-scale death numbers” that would stretch the resources of any county in the US.  A reminder of the high death toll of this humanitarian crisis.


Burial marker with "unknown person May 16 2008" on it

The manual also puts a face on the crisis by reminding us that a basic human right includes the expectation that every family should have the opportunity to participate in the decision making process for the disposition of the remains of their loved one.  It reminds me that when people ask me “Why do you…”, “Why don’t you…”, or “Maybe you should…” that I should refer them to the internationally held principle that unidentified remains should be available for families to reclaim.  That there are international requirements for the treatment of the dead. That the 1949 Geneva Convention suggests proper and respectful treatment of the dead including honorable interment and the avoidance of cremation unless imperative for reasons of hygiene.  It reminds us that “For families of the missing, grief may be unresolved for long periods of time, when they do not know what has happened to their loved one. With this in mind, nothing should be done to make this process more difficult for a grieving family.” It’s a reminder that you cannot expect a certain level of respect for you and your family during a difficult process like this unless you extend the same basic level of respect for others.

We feel honored to be invited to Brooks County to conduct a training session. Our work to date has been uncovering the past as an effort to identify those buried without a name. This portion of our trip will contribute to the future of identification efforts.  Part of the training will include understanding the difference between human and nonhuman bone. Wish us luck as we carry the bones used for this portion of training (none are human) in a suitcase through the airport! I have all the documentation needed to show them who we are and what we are doing. But it should still be interesting!

~KEL

All My Ex’s Live in Texas

Reflections, Snapshots

Texas is the place I’d really love to be.  We will soon be returning to south Texas to continue our human rights work.  I am incredibly excited to get back, yet this year will be different from the past.  We won’t be doing excavations, instead our efforts will focus on analyzing remains that we exhumed in previous years that are now located at Texas State University and training local authorities in Brooks County.  Adding to the change, three of our past team members will not be with us.  This year’s UIndy team will consist of Dr. Latham, Ryan, Amanda (the rookie), and me.  This leaves us a few cards short of a full deck.  I would like to pay a small tribute to the incredible ladies that helped to form the foundation of a strong team.

Erica looking down at her clipboard with pencil in hand
Erica in her natural habitat, mapping.

Erica

I’ve known Erica since before either of us came to UIndy.  We are both Michigan State Alumni (Go Green!).  We met on a study abroad in London, and then became fast friends while working in the Nubian Research Lab at MSU.  Erica and I have worked so closely for so long that people often mistake us for a couple in a relationship, which she hates.  Erica was an essential part of our team because of her incredible mapping skills.  Strange fact- Erica loves forms and paperwork, which makes her a mapping savant.  Erica was an amazing teammate and a great friend, and her presence will be greatly missed.

Jessica looking into the scene with sunglasses and a pensive look.
Jessica surveying the scene.

Jessica

Jess is tough as nails.  If you think that you can shovel I have sad news for you, you can’t and that Wisconsin girl can.  I’d like to think of myself as a hard worker and tough, the problem is having someone like Jess to which you are comparing yourself.  Try as you might, there is no one that time and time again gives so much of herself.  I feel honored to have someone so strong and dedicated having my back.

Justin and Ryan carrying Cheneta in a dramatic fashion
Cheneta doing her best Labron James impersonation.

Cheneta

Cheneta was our “rookie” last year, so I was hesitant to accept her at first… I was a fool.  Cheneta turned out to be one of the most hard-working and dedicated members of our team.  She made sure that all members of our team (and the entire field crew) watched out for one another.  She is the reason that to this day, I cannot hear the word “teamwork”, without finishing the phrase with, “makes the dream work”.

These three ladies have made immense contributions to our human rights work in Texas and we couldn’t have done it without them.    I’d like to take a quick moment to thank them all for everything they have done.  Thank you.

Justin