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A News investigation of the charges before a CU panel reveals strong evidence of possible misconduct by the professor

Shadows of doubt
News finds problems in all four major areas before CU panel.
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At issue
Did Ward Churchill falsely accuse the U.S. Army of using smallpox as a weapon of genocide against American Indians?
Our findings
His claim isn't supported by the sources he has cited.
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At issue
Did Churchill commit plagiarism by publishing the work of others as his own?
Our findings
An essay he "prepared" for a book was actually taken from a Canadian scholar.
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At issue
Did Churchill mischaracterize two important pieces of federal Indian law?
Our findings
His contentions about the Dawes Act of 1887 and the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 are incorrect.
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At issue
Did Churchill misrepresent himself as having American Indian ancestry?
Our findings
His assertions that he is descended from Cherokee and Creek ancestors aren't supported by extensive genealogical records.
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Barry Gutierrez © News

"You are not qualified to assess my scholarship ... I'm not going to spend the rest of my life talking about my ancestry."
— Ward Churchill

SHADOWS OF DOUBT
University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill fabricated historical facts, published the work of others as his own and repeatedly made false claims about two federal Indian laws, a Rocky Mountain News investigation has found.

John Temple: Ward Churchill responds to our series
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The two-month News investigation, carried out at the same time Churchill and his work are being carefully examined by the university, also unearthed fresh genealogical information that casts new doubts on the professor's long-held assertion that he is of American Indian ancestry.
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