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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to Brigitta Tazelaar, Netherlands Ambassador to the United States, seeking her assistance in expediting the repatriation of sacred Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribe artifacts back to their home. 

The letter expressed sincere appreciation for the Dutch Government’s commitment to the return of the Pueblo artifacts while urging Ambassador Tazelaar to facilitate their return by the Pueblo’s Winter dance season. The artifacts currently sit in the warehouse of the Nationaal Musuem Van Wereldculturen in Linden.

“Over the last few months, the Dutch government and officials at the Museum have been most helpful in communicating with the U.S. government and Congress, as well as the Pueblo’s leadership,” the Congresswoman wrote. “I was particularly encouraged by … communication between the Museum and Pueblo in July in which Museum leadership expressed their willingness to return the Pueblo’s artifacts…”

“However, I am concerned by the turnaround of adjudicating the Pueblo’s request, and I respectfully seek your assistance to expedite the return of the Pueblo’s Powith Winter Drum and other items held in the Netherlands prior to the Pueblo’s Saint Andrew Dance and Winter Dance season, which will begin on November 30, 2024,” wrote Congresswoman Escobar.

 Congresswoman Escobar concluded, “The repatriation of these artifacts is of great ceremonial importance to the Tribe as these artifacts belong to the sacred life of the Pueblo. Their return would revive long-interrupted celebrations and rituals, restoring a vital part of the Pueblo's cultural heritage.”

In June, the Congresswoman led a letter to the Dutch government on this topic. 

Full text of the letter can be found here.