July 18, 2019

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, SENATORS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL STOP ACT TO SAFEGUARD TRIBAL ITEMS

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), Don Young (R-Alaska), and Tom Cole (R-Okla.) reintroduced the bipartisan Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act, a bill to prohibit the exporting of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking tribal cultural patrimony. U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M), the lead author of the legislation, and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

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“The STOP Act is a critical step – the legal protection of our cultural heritage will help ensure the history of misappropriation of Native objects will not repeat itself,” said Vivian Korthuis, CEO of the Association of Village Council Presidents. “These objects belong to us – they are a part of the legacy we will always share with future generations. I’m glad an awareness is finally beginning to form around this concept.”

 

Read the full press release HERE.