He was invited to speak and participate as such in cultural activities, although he received no more federal grants on Native American topics. His claims about his year and place of birth, and the circumstances of his adoption, were reported as part of his obituaries in 2001 in mainstream press such as the "New York Times" and "Los Angeles Times". Hank Adams wrote an Open Letter to the Editor in response, rejecting again Highwater's claims. In 2015 "Indian Country Today" reported additional findings about Highwater's elaborate pose. It published a copy of his 1931 birth certificate as Jackie Marks from Los Angeles, and a photograph of his father's military gravestone, marked with the Jewish symbol, a Star of David.