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Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) penned a letter, supported by the entire Arizona delegation, addressed to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) asking them to intervene and prevent the auctioning of sacred Hopi artifacts by the Auction House EVE, located in Paris, France, before the next auction scheduled for June 1, 2015.
Late last year, Hopi Chairman Herman Honanie sought out Congressman Gosar, and other members of the Arizona delegation, for assistance in intervening to try to stop the auctioning of culturally significant artifacts.
The joint letter goes on to say, “The auction house located in Paris, Estimations Ventes aux Encheres (EVE), has engaged in the sale of sacred artifacts, despite objections from the Hopi Tribe, the Navajo Nation, and the State Department, among others…We understand from the Tribe that the auction would include the sale of sacred Hopi objects known as ‘katsina friends’. According to tribal tradition, displaying and selling these items is sacrilegious and offensive.”
Congressman Gosar stated, “It is shameful that a French auction house thinks it’s ok to profit off the sale of sacred Hopi artifacts. It is my sincere hope that such items will not be sold at the upcoming June 1st auction and that the relevant government agencies will intervene to prevent this occurrence.”
Background
The full text of Congressman Gosar’s letter can be found HERE.
Congressman Gosar's letter was signed by Arizona's entire delegation, including Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, as well as Reps. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.), David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.).
On December 12, 2014, Congressman Gosar and several members of the Arizona delegation sent a letter to the U.S. State Department attempting to prevent a similar December auction of Hopi artifacts. That letter can be found HERE.
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