Comanche Nation disputes professor's ancestry

Friday, May 2, 2008  

The Comanche Nation of Oklahoma says a professor at the University of Kansas is wrongly claiming Comanche ancestry.

Ray Pierotti, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, said he has never claimed to be an enrolled member of the tribe. But The University Daily Kansas reported numerous instances in which Pierotti used his alleged ancestry to further his career.

“Our people would say it’s just another white man professing to be Native and using what little knowledge he has to try to take advantage of us," Comanche Chairman Wallace Coffee told the paper.

Pierotti refused an interview with the paper. One of his brothers said they were told that their grandmother was Comanche but another brother and other relatives said they are of European ancestry.

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A question of identity (The University Daily Kansan 5/2)