He had thought carefully about how to do better.

His approach to the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe was not that of a scientist requesting access to a specimen.

He came as someone seeking a partnership — acknowledging that the remains were the Tribe’s ancestor, that the Tribe had the right to determine whether the research proceeded, and that any agreement would be on terms the Tribe found acceptable.

The negotiation was not simple.

The Tribe had extensive experience with scientific and government institutions that had promised respect and delivered something different.