On December 21, 2022, the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act became federal law.
History
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We called on Congress to Support the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act. On April 22, 2021 we sent a letter in support of the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, and urged Congress to not only pass the Act but to consider strengthening the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the protection of Sacred Places.
Read and download our full letter. On June 21, 2021 the Association sent a second letter in support of the STOP Act, further explaining the Association's support and refuting recent criticisms of the Act. Read and download our full letter. The STOP Act prevents the export of Native cultural heritage to prevent these items from being exported and sold overseas. When our sensitive items cross the borders, we lose our power to return them home. The STOP Act further requires the exporter to prove they have rightful ownership of Native cultural heritage. Read more about the STOP Act. Read and download the STOP Act White Page Paper Read and download the STOP Act Executive Summary The only entities that are opposed to the STOP Act are those dealers and dealer associations that sell "antiquities" and "artifacts." Read our letter about dealers' efforts to misconstrue the STOP Act's purpose and put down the Association and Native leaders who support the STOP Act. |
If you represent a MUSEUM, NATIVE NATION, are a NATIVE ARTIST, ATTORNEY, ACADEMIC, please write your own letter of support by following this guideline. |
Updates
- November 29, 2022: Senate-Passed STOP Act Strengthens Federal Protections For Tribal, Native Hawaiian Cultural Items
- August 6, 2021: Read "Law safeguarding tribal objects is badly needed", by Brian D. Vallo
- May 20, 2021: Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Hearing on the STOP Act
- June 25, 2020: Udall Holds Indian Affairs Legislative Hearing on Water, Infrastructure, Cultural Patrimony Bills
Supporters
All Pueblo Council of Governors American Anthropological Association American Cultural Resources Association & AAA Archaeology Division Archaeological Institute of America Association of American Indian Affairs Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums
Association of Village Council Presidents Catawba Indian Nation Duckwater Shoshone Tribe Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake
Hopi Tribe Hopland Tribe Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes Mount Sanford Tribal Consortium
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers National Indian Head Start Directors Association
National Trust for Historic Preservation Native American Rights Fund Ohkay Owingeh Oglala Sioux Tribe
Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Pueblo of Acoma Pueblo of Santa Clara Pueblo of Tesuque Pueblo of Zuni
Sealaska Heritage Society for American Archeology SRI Foundation Tohono O'odom Nation United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.
Association of Village Council Presidents Catawba Indian Nation Duckwater Shoshone Tribe Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake
Hopi Tribe Hopland Tribe Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes Mount Sanford Tribal Consortium
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers National Indian Head Start Directors Association
National Trust for Historic Preservation Native American Rights Fund Ohkay Owingeh Oglala Sioux Tribe
Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Pueblo of Acoma Pueblo of Santa Clara Pueblo of Tesuque Pueblo of Zuni
Sealaska Heritage Society for American Archeology SRI Foundation Tohono O'odom Nation United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.
