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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) led a letter to the Dutch Government urging them to help return several items of tribal patrimony currently held by the Nationaal Museum Van Wereldculturen (Museum) in the Netherlands back to the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribe (Pueblo) in El Paso, Texas. 

The bicameral letter, signed by 2 Senators and three additional Representatives, upholds the U.S. Congress’ passage of the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act to aid tribes in reclaiming sacred objects.

“Over the last ten years, the Pueblo has made numerous yet unsuccessful efforts to communicate with the Museum for the repatriation of some of the Pueblo’s most sacred religious objects, which were taken from the Pueblo by Dutch anthropologist Herman F.C. Ten Kate in December, 1882,” wrote the Lawmakers. “The Pueblo’s requests have been denied while the items sought for return sit in a warehouse at the Museum.”

“Several of the items removed by Mr. Ten Kate from the Pueblo date back more than 450 years, yet they still could and should play a daily role in the spiritual and cultural life of the Pueblo,” the Lawmakers continued. “The Winter Drum held in the Museum’s warehouse, the Pohwith drum, is the Pueblo’s most significant religious artifact, along with its brother Summer Drum. Moreover, the Pohwith’s absence from the Pueblo has prevented the Pueblo from successfully carrying out its winter dances and religious ceremonies for more than 140 years.” 

They concluded: “For the Pueblo and its people, the Pohwith is a living entity that requires feeding and care that only the Pueblo can provide. Accordingly, we contend, and we hope you agree, that the Pueblo is the best home for the Powith and the other items held by the Museum."

The letter was signed by Senator Ben Ray Lujan, Senator Martin Heinrich, and Representatives Gabe Vasquez, Melanie Stansbury, and Teresa Leger Fernandez.  

Full text of the letter can be found here.