Minthorn takes a spiritual position, where respect of the dead is the primary consideration. He assumes that the skeleton is native American, or at least covered by the Native Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. He further assumes that studying the skeleton is not useful as their history is already known through oral tradition.
Bonnichsen takes a scientific perspective. He assumes studying the skeleton will help classify it and will add significant knowledge to a field with very little direct evidence.
The conflict between science and religion often takes this form, where a scientist wishes to study using methods contrary to certain religious beliefs. Perhaps a compromise may be reached, as with stem cell research in the US.