Luján Celebrates Return of Sacred Pueblo Artifacts

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced the long-awaited repatriation of sacred Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribe artifacts currently held by the Nationaal Museum Van Wereldculturen in the Netherlands back to their home in El Paso, Texas.

Senators Luján and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Representatives Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) sent a letter to the Dutch Government in June, in addition to several meetings and phone calls with relevant stakeholders, including U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Shefali Razdan Duggal.

The lawmakers have been working with the Department of State and the Dutch Government to return several cultural and religious artifacts since the Pueblo made numerous, yet unsuccessful, efforts to communicate with the Museum for the objects, which were taken from the Pueblo by Dutch anthropologist Herman F.C. Ten Kate in December of 1882.

“I am proud that a vital part of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo’s cultural heritage will now be restored with the return of the Pueblo’s most sacred religious objects,” said Senator Luján. “I am proud to have urged the Dutch Government, met with Pueblo leaders, and coordinated with U.S. officials to secure the repatriation of these sacred artifacts. I am grateful to see the repatriation of these artifacts and am committed to fighting to protect the cultural heritage of our Tribal communities.”

“Today’s news rectifies a long injustice for our community,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “My team and I have tirelessly worked to return these precious artifacts for over a year. I join everyone from the Pueblo tribe in rejoicing that these artifacts and their history will be preserved for generations to come. I’m grateful to the Dutch Government for their willingness to right this wrong and to the State Department for their help bringing such sacred objects back to their rightful home”

“Today is a wonderful day. The repatriation of sacred items to Ysleta Del Sur is long overdue. The work done by Pueblo leaders, Rep. Escobar, my colleagues in the New Mexico delegation, and the Biden Administration to secure these artifacts has been tireless. I’m honored to have had the opportunity to support their work,” said Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury

The press release from the Dutch government can be found here and a post from the State Department here. Background on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo’s connections to New Mexico can be found here. 

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