Those perspectives are not uniform.

Some members prioritize the return of remains and see DNA testing as a necessary tool.

Others, as noted, prioritize leaving the dead in peace.

Some see the skull mystery as a high-profile case that could draw attention to broader NAGPRA issues affecting many Apache individuals’ remains.

Others see it as a distraction from more pressing concerns.

Consulting the perspectives of these communities — rather than treating the skull mystery primarily as a story about Yale’s secret societies or presidential family connections — is essential to understanding what the resolution of this question would actually mean.

What NAGPRA Requires And What It Cannot Do