Randy Thomas, advocate for ancestors, dies at 50

Randy Thomas, a member of the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska, died on Tuesday. He was 50.

Thomas was a prominent critic of the state when he and other tribes found out that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln incinerated the remains of Native ancestors.

“Nebraska, in part because of my brother, is, if not more Indian- friendly, more Indian-understanding,” his twin brother Ralph told The Lincoln Journal star.

Randy had a long history of activism and was part of the 1981 encampment of the Black Hills. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday in Lincoln.

Get the Story:
Critic of university during 'bones' dispute dies (The Lincoln Journal Star 7/13)

Related Stories:
Bone dispute figure charged with planting evidence (8/8)
Long delayed remains return home (11/5)
Repatriation due for 16 tribes (11/2)
Neb. school won't challenge found bones (10/17)
Neb. school doubts origin of bones (10/16)
Bones found on Neb. campus are human (10/15)
Man spits on Neb. Indian memorial (10/3)
Found bones now missing from Neb. site (9/21)
Uncovered bones to be examined (9/18)
Search dog finds Indian bones (9/13)
Memorial to remains to be dedicated (9/10)
Opinion: Why case of dumped bones matters (8/6)
Indian remains apparently dumped in landfill (7/24)