TITLE: Support the Efforts to Stop the Theft and Illegal Sale of Pueblo Cultural Patrimony Items Both Domestically and Abroad
WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and
WHEREAS, cultural patrimony is vital to the continued existence and maintenance of tribal culture and ways of life; and
WHEREAS, tribes have been disproportionately affected by the theft, illegal sale, and alienation of their cultural patrimony; and
WHEREAS, in recent years the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and the Hopi Tribes have been particularly targeted by illegal traffickers; and
WHEREAS, the illegal sale of these items of cultural patrimony have occurred domestically and internationally; and
WHEREAS, the sale of tribal cultural patrimony is in violation of Federal and Tribal laws; and
WHEREAS, the nature and descriptions of all tribal cultural patrimony is sensitive and to be treated with respect and confidentiality as appropriate.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) hereby supports the efforts of all tribal nations to stop the theft and illegal sale of all tribal cultural patrimony both domestically and abroad; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NCAI calls upon the Secretaries of the Department of the Interior, the Department of Justice, the Department of State, and the Attorney General of the United States to consult with the tribal nations in addressing the important issue of the theft and illegal sale of tribal cultural patrimony domestically and abroad, and to take affirmative action to stop these illegal practices; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.