To the editor:

The trafficway controversy is primarily about preserving a place essential to Native American history. No amount of “mitigation,” no federal judge setting aside her “misgivings” in favor of KDOT’s dubious assessment of viable alternative routes, can alter that essential truth. Portraying this as “saving 60 acres of wetlands” (Journal-World, Nov. 8) intentionally obscures this reality.

The eventual 8-10-lane “32nd Street project” would severely diminish this wetland’s extraordinary biodiversity, and destroy its peaceful essence. To many at Haskell and across Indian Country the SLT symbolizes “business” — really, abuse/injustice — as usual.

Many newcomers in this university town have no knowledge of or time to pay attention to local history. Too often, older residents have a vested interest in historical amnesia. Since 1884, Haskell has been our community’s ragged, abused stepdaughter. It must stop.

These wetlands were the primary refuge of children stolen by authorities determined to drain the Indian out of them. Most Haskellites I know could care less who “owns” the wetlands now. Like most Native American sacred places, this one was taken away. Federal courts show no stomach for righting those crimes.

Shopping centers, golf courses, housing developments and highways have erased most of the former boarding school locations. Only at Haskell is there a healing place, a peaceful wetlands, where survivors of that terrible time are remembered. Will this be a place intimately tied to the restoration of respect for Native American cultures and ways of knowing, or merely where we rip another road through Indian hearts to save a few minutes?

Michael Caron,

Lawrence