(...) While obtaining oral history and testimony from tribal religious leaders presents its own difficulties, another problem arises in trying to obtain written documentation to support a claim of cultural affiliation.
That kind of evidence may not be available everywhere in the United States.

However, there is a good chance such documentation may be available in Europe, according to Dr. Jay Segel and Ronald L. Monterosso of New England Antiquarian Research & Title (NEART), who also spoke at the summit.
Armies of bureaucrats in european capitols in the 1600's and 1700's could devote far more time to record keeping that could officials in rugged North American frontier cities who were more concerned with survival and defense. Therefore, many records, including maps, deeds, reports, correspondance, treaties and other documents concerning Native American tribes exist only in Europe.

Segel and Monterosso have recovered a wide range of evidence that can help establish a cultural affiliation between present-day tribes and remains and other ancient objects. That evidence includes information about the geographical location of tribes at a particular point in time, genealogical information , linguistic similarities and other cultural information.

"Much of the information is quite well documented, but may be in France or may be in Spain," said Segel. "So the motto of NEART is bringing history home . We feel this information over there should be here, so that it can help every tribe with regards to repatriation, with regards to language, culture, polotical structure, education, architecture and overall knowledge. That's basically the service we provide." (...)