1. International Repatriation Update
U.S. Department of the Interior
Brooke Hobbie, International Policy Advisor
August 8, 2017

2. Tribal Consultations on International Repatriation
Pre-consultation listening sessions (Summer 2016)
United South and Eastern Tribes in Atmore, Alabama
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians in Grand Ronde, Oregon
National Congress of American Indians in Spokane, Washington
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers in Ignacio, Colorado
Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) in lsleta Pueblo, New Mexico
Consultation Sessions (Fall 2016):
Washington, District of Columbia, September 27 (Tribal Nations Conference)
Phoenix, Arizona, October 9 (National Congress of American Indians)
Fairbanks, Alaska, October 21 (Alaska Federation of Natives)
Cherokee, North Carolina, October 26 (United South & Eastern Tribes)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, December 12 (National Indian Programs Training Center)

3. Tribal Consultations on International Repatriation
Consultation attendees: Tribal government leaders, Tribal spiritual leaders, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, Tribal employees, Tribal attorneys, Tribal members, as well as members of the museum and archeological professions.
Categories of Tribal Cultural Heritage:
Ancestral human remains and funerary objects held in museums
Items of cultural patrimony and sacred objects held or marketed abroad, including in foreign museums or at auction houses
Other items of cultural, ceremonial, historic or spiritual significance held in museums or private collections or sold by auction houses

4. Tribal Consultations on International Repatriation
General Comments and Recommendations (Examples)
Expressions of concern about the cultural and spiritual trauma created by the appropriation and theft of Tribal Cultural Heritage, and negative impacts on communities
More support, including financial and technical assistance, from U.S. government
List of Federal government contacts, roles and responsibilities
Development of USG task force or working group on international repatriation.
Develop best practices for minimizing looting, export and trafficking of Tribal Cultural Heritage
Concern that too much emphasis on and attention to special nature of certain items may make them more sought after by private collectors.

5. Tribal Consultations on International Repatriation
Examples of Comments and Recommendations (cont’d)
Domestic and International Legal Issues
Establish special law enforcement division to investigate and prosecute looters and traffickers
Strengthen current laws on domestic repatriation and protections of archaeological resources, as well as enforcement and prosecutions
New laws to address international repatriation:
Establish requirements for export documentation

6. Tribal Consultations on International Repatriation
Examples of Comments and Recommendations (cont’d)
International collaboration, education, and training
Training needed for international museums, foreign government authorities, collectors and auction houses, U.S. federal agencies and U.S. diplomats
Publicize success stories
Input on Consultations:
Concern that “Dear Tribal Leader Letter” is not sufficient communication regarding consultations, and that those communications need to go to the cultural arm of the Tribe as well as the governmental arm of the Tribe.
Requests for more consultation on this topic; International Repatriation Summit
Full Summary of Consultations:

7. DOI International Repatriation Activities
DOI International Repatriation Working Group
Information and Points of Contact available on DOI International Repatriation Website: _group_020617_0.pdf
Interagency Working Group
DOJ, DOI, DOS, DHS
Ongoing work:
Auction notices
Requests for assistance
Facilitating dialogue among Tribes, other federal agencies, Embassies, foreign governments
Monitoring legislative developments
BIA law enforcement funding for train the trainer program; NAGPRA/ARPA investigation support

8. DOI International Repatriation Activities
Thank you!
DOI International Repatriation address:
My contact info:
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