[MSN] Morongo Tribe Announces Intent to Prosecute Cultural Thefts; No Pocketing of the Past Permitted

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Morongo Tribe Announces Intent to Prosecute Cultural Thefts; No Pocketing of
the Past Permitted  
Posted on : Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:16:01 GMT | Author : Morongo Band of Mission
Indians
News Category : PressRelease   
 


BANNING, Calif. - MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION, Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In a
move to protect its cultural artifacts, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians
announced today that a recent theft has prompted the tribal government to
adopt a more aggressive policy on the prosecution of such thefts.

According to reports by the tribe's reservation patrol, someone in May or
June entered a part of the Morongo reservation normally located behind two
locked gates and stole a large granite boulder -- somewhere between 500-800
pounds -- with a bedrock mortar or Indian "grinding hole" in it. The
culprit(s) used heavy equipment such as a skiploader, backhoe or bobcat to
forcibly remove this artifact. Another large boulder with a bedrock mortar
was also moved about 80 feet in an apparent attempt to steal it as well.

 
"Morongo will no longer take a passive approach to thefts like these," said
Morongo tribal chairman Robert Martin. "We have notified federal authorities
who are working with the reservation patrol on this case. The tribe will
pursue prosecution and the tribe is also issuing a $5,000 reward for
information leading to the conviction of the theft."

Groups like the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation
Officers (NATHPO) and the Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association ATADA as
well as many museums have reported that the theft of tribal archeological
and cultural objects is on the rise.

According to California Indian Legal Services (CILS), "Tribes are employing
a variety of methods to secure protection of religious and cultural sites,
turning to legal action, the media, and legislation to protect their
interests. In addition, tribes are working with federal and state land
management agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); developing
consultation agreements with federal and state agencies such as the Army
Corps of Engineers, the Department of Energy, and Cal-Trans, and monitoring
and treatment agreements with local cities, utilities, and private
developers; participating in consultations through the National Historic
Preservation Act; and pursuing partnerships with federal and state law
enforcement agencies to ensure prosecution for violations of the
Archeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) and other federal and state
historic preservation laws."

Morongo cultural historian Ernest Siva explained that "... the bedrock
mortar boulder is part of a site that belongs to every member of our tribe
and not to any one individual. Artifacts like these were left by our
ancestors and they belong back in their original resting place for us, our
children and our grandchildren to enjoy. The person(s) who stole the rock
may have taken it for profit or for personal use. It doesn't matter. The
removal means this artifact is lost forever to the tribe."

Theft of cultural items from an Indian reservation is a federal crime under
the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) and subject to significant
fines and jail time. The minimum penalty does not exceed $10,000 and one
year in jail or both and the maximum penalty is $100,000 and 5 years in jail
or both.

Congress passed ARPA in 1979 because it found that archaeological resources
on Indian lands were increasingly accessible and endangered because of their
commercial attractiveness. Many Indian reservations were struggling to
provide adequate protection to prevent the loss and destruction of
archaeological resources and sites resulting from uncontrolled excavations
and pillage.

As federal investigators continue to work on this case and collect evidence,
the Morongo tribe is sending out a plea for the return of the boulder to the
tribe. Those with information can help by calling (951) 755-5206.

"We hope that whoever took the boulder will avoid prosecution and do the
right thing by returning it to the tribe," said Martin. "In this way, we can
protect our heritage and make every effort to keep our history safe."

Morongo Band of Mission Indians
 
 http://www.earthtimes.org/