Letter to Julia Frifield, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Legislative Affairs - Hopi Tribe Artifact Sale

Letter

Ms. Julia E. Frifield
Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Legislative Affairs
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Assistant Secretary Frifield:

We are writing regarding the upcoming sale of several Hopi cultural artifacts by the auction house Estimations Ventes aux Encheres ("EVE") in Paris, France. In previous years, the Hopi Tribe has tried without success to halt the sale of similar artifacts by EVE and other similar auction houses. The latest EVE auction is scheduled for December 15, 2014, and includes Hopi masks, stone figurines, and other items of great importance to the Hopi Tribe. According to tribal tradition, displaying and selling these items is sacrilegious and offensive, and the Hopi Tribe has requested a halt to these auctions and repatriation of the items to the tribe.

We respectfully request the State Department review this matter and provide us with a response on how the federal government might be able to address the Hopi's concerns. Let us emphasize that we desire no action to be taken on this matter which would be inconsistent with existing rules, regulations or guidelines, or that could possibly be construed as unfair or inappropriate. We wish only for your thoughtful consideration of these questions out of fairness and respect to the Hopi Tribe. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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