By Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media
Tribes across the country would have new opportunities to reclaim lost artifacts under a new Senate bill. The Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony, or STOP Act, would prevent the export of cultural and religious items.
Martin Heinrich is the junior senator from New Mexico who introduced the STOP Act to the Senate.
“It’s time to make sure that items that are deeply religious or deeply connected to individual tribes are respected, are not sold on the auction block,” Heinrich said.