The ATADA Blog
News | Events | Legal Issues
A recent article on The Hopkins Exhibitionist website discusses the need for a dialogue about the complicated relationships between museums and the cultures which created the objects in their collections.
While this article is focused on African art, we should be aware of the possible impacts on all indigenous art in museums and private collections.
Spoiler Alert: the article does discuss the opening scene of the movie.
An overview of the ATADA Voluntary Returns Program has been published on the ArtDaily.com website.
If you are not familiar with the program, please visit the Voluntary Returns page on our website for an in-depth look at how it works and why we think this community based approach is the best and most efficient method for the return of sacred and ceremonial objects.
The ATADA Voluntary Returns Program is a community-based initiative designed to bring sacred and highly valued ceremonial objects to Native American tribes. Returns take place through a consultative process in which ATADA representatives work directly with tribal community and spiritual leaders. The program evolved through the recognition by art dealers and private collectors that certain objects, although legal to own, had great importance to tribal communities, and that their return could invigorate and enhance tribal community life.
Check out the ATADA Calendar for a full list of upcoming and ongoing events and exhibitions.
atada.org/calendar-full
In an opinion piece from The Mercury News, the leaders of two Native American Tribes in California speak about the removal of protections for Bears Ears and other national monuments...
From the article:
Bears Ears was the first national monument protected at the request of tribes and is collectively managed by a commission of tribal members.
By eliminating protections for this sacred national monument, the president is saying that there’s nothing worth protecting in these lands. This is an outrageous suggestion, a slap in the face to the tribes that call Bears Ears home, and an affront to Native Americans all across the country.
Throughout the year, the legal committee has been actively engaged in legislation impacting the tribal arts community. We raised serious legal, economic and practical questions about the 2017 Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act (STOP Act) currently before both Houses of Congress. We have worked with business community leaders, legislators, and tribal representatives to make clear the harms resulting from passage of the STOP Act.
Together with other organizations, ATADA submitted extensive legal testimony showing how the STOP Act would damage fundamental U.S. public policy. We are grateful that the Senate Indian Affairs Committee heard our concerns and did not move the STOP Act forward this year.
While we have accomplished much, we believe this will be an ongoing effort. We expect some version of the STOP Act to come before Congress in 2018. ATADA will remain actively engaged and will continue to advocate on behalf of the museum, dealer and collector community.
At the same time, we have taken concrete steps to ensure the highest standards of due diligence among our dealer and collector members. ATADA membership continues to stand for the lawful, ethical trade in tribal art.
We’ve increased public outreach and educational work. All our members should know about ATADA’s outstanding public programming, including our sponsorship of the 2017 Santa Fe symposium: “Understanding Cultural Property: A Path to Healing Through Communication,” and participation in public events at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe. We appreciated the excellent participation and attendance by members at these important events. Additionally, the ATADA News, which is available to all online, has expanded its coverage of many key issues.
ATADA looks forward to continuing its work with tribal partners in ongoing, grassroots actions, such as the ATADA Voluntary Returns program, to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding. This year, the Voluntary Returns program facilitated the return of dozens of donated objects to Native communities, including a number of highly-significant spiritual objects. These efforts have generated a very positive response. They have been beneficial in fostering dialogue with tribal leaders and building trust that ATADA members will continue to honor the sensibilities of Native peoples.
Robert Gallegos heads the ATADA Voluntary Returns program. Please contact him with questions regarding the donation process and to facilitate a return.
He can be reached at 505-262-0620 or gallegos@nmia.com.
For all this work to continue, we must ask for your financial support.
Your contribution is instrumental as we continue to advocate for the rights of museums, dealers and collectors while promoting cultural awareness and community-based alternatives over intrusive, damaging legislation.
You can contribute online at www.atada.org/legal-fund , or contact David Ezziddine at director@atada.org for more information on how to help.
Sincerely yours,
The ATADA Legal Committee
Contributions to the ATADA Legal Fund are vital to continuing these efforts. Please consider making a contribution today. Thank you!
Click the image to read the latest issue!
Silver Brooch by Awa Tsireh
Image courtesy: Heard Museum
In This Issue...
On Exhibit -
Take a closer look at two great exhibitions currently on view at Scottsdale's Museum of the West and at the Heard Museum.
Plus...
Hopi Pottery Masterworks
Image courtesy: Scottsdale's Museum of The West
Photo by: Bill Dambrova
On November 8th, 2017, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2017. ATADA President, John Molloy, had planned to present oral testimony before the committee; however, the only person allowed to testify in person was Governor Riley of Acoma Pueblo. The committee did allow the submission of written testimony. A copy of this testimony can be downloaded by clicking the link below.
Written testimony was also submitted by the Committee for Cultural Policy (CCP) and the Global Heritage Alliance (GHA). Both organizations have permitted us to make those documents available.
No votes were taken during the hearing. The House Committee on Indian Affairs has not yet met to discuss the legislation.
The full text of the Senate and House bills can be downloaded below:
We have made progress against this legislation, but there is still much to do. This will be an ongoing issue for some time. ATADA will continue to voice our position on this legislation. We need your help to continue this work. If you have not done so, please contribute to the ATADA Legal Fund today. Any amount is greatly appreciated!
If you have made a contribution in the past, please consider doing so again.
Information on how to make your contribution can be found on the Legal Fund page: atada.org/legal-fund
Contributor information is kept confidential.
There are a number of auctions coming up in the next several weeks. You can find links to more info about these and many other events on our online calendar!
The Committee for Cultural Policy's (CCP) recent newsletter features an in-depth article explaining the history of the U.S. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and how it has been expanding in scope since 1999.
The request will be considered by the Cultural Property Advisory Committee, meeting at the Department of State on October 23-24, 2017.
From the CCP article:
The first Cambodian ban took effect on December 2, 1999, when the U.S. imposed an emergency import restriction on Khmer stone sculpture and architectural elements from Cambodia, unless such objects were accompanied by export permits issued by the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, or by documentation demonstrating that they were out of the country before December 2, 1999.
SAR is now accepting applications for three artist-in-residence fellowships designed to advance the work of mature and emerging Native artists.
Ronald and Susan Dubin Native Artist Fellowship
(June 15 - August 15, 2018)
The Dubin Fellowship is dedicated to supporting traditional Native artistry.
Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellowship
(September 1 - December 1, 2018)
The King Fellowship is dedicated to preserving the Southwest.
Eric and Barbara Dobkin Native Artist Fellowship for Women
(March 1 - May 31, 2019)
The Dobkin Fellowship encourages the creativity and growth of indigenous women artists working in any media.
Application forms and Fellowship FAQ can be found at: artists.sarweb.org
An informational flyer can be downloaded here.
Photos top to bottom: Melissa Melero-Moose, Northern Paiute, contemporary mixed-media painter; Luanne Redeye, Seneca, painter and beadworker; Loren Aragon, Acoma, fashion designer
