State archaeologist wants to return Indian remains to tribes

Federal red tape is blocking the return of the remains of hundreds of American Indians to tribes for reburial.

State archaeologist Jon Leader is caretaker for about 300 Native American remains that he wants returned to tribes for reburial.

Harold "Buster" Hatcher, chief of the Waccamaw tribe in Horry County, wants remains of tribal members returned for reburial.

But here's the catch. Hatcher's tribe is not federally recognized. And federal law restricts the return of remains only to those tribes that have federal recognition.