[A_COMPUTER]

I'm okay with honoring existing laws and treaties with the Indian tribes, but the scientific evidence strongly indicates it's not their ancestor. Are we obligated to honor what is essentially their version of creationism as evidence of ancestry? Maybe we are, I don't know the wording of the law.

[rayiner]

The nature of the federal government's obligation to the Indian tribes goes beyond just honoring treaties and laws. Its more in the nature of a guardianship/trustee relationship: http://www.nihb.org/tribal_resources/indian_health_101.php. The government is not obligated to believe the Indian version of facts, but federal agencies responsible for Indian affairs are not and cannot be neutral parties when others make claims that affect Indian interests.