By Maira P.

Theft is a crime, and for good reason. The act of willfully depriving someone of their property, for whatever cause, is immoral and selfish. It is no surprise that the American government has endorsed countless anti-fraud campaigns and doled out hefty punishments in even the most trivial situations related to the devious act, largely to protect potential and existing victims. But these initiatives disproportionately snub one key group: Native Americans.

Since the dawn of colonization in the 15th century, Indigenous populations across the United States have borne the brunt of the government’s foul conduct and brutality. Perhaps most devastating, however, is the irreparable cultural damage dealt to these communities as a result of the blatant burglary of priceless antiques, such as arrowheads, clothing, and, in especially horrifying instances, the bones of Native Americans themselves. 

According to the Associated Press, an estimated 870,000 Native artifacts, including 110,000 human remains, are still held in the custody of various public and private institutions of the United States, ranging from well-funded universities to furtive but no less illicit private collections of invaluable heirlooms taken directly from tribal lands. 

These actions are in direct violation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA), which bans establishments like museums or colleges from keeping tribal relics. In spite of the law, the federal government has done little to actually mitigate these transgressions. 

These injustices not only emphasize the inherent ineffectiveness of such lax and unenforced regulations but also expose the United States’ gross mishandling of indigenous affairs as a whole. As Indigenous leader Charlene Nijmeh, chairwoman of the Muwekma Ohlone tribe, said to ABC News, “Everyone in Indian Country knows that the federal [repatriation] process is broken, it’s corrupt and needs to be revised.” 

Without proper action taken to ensure the protection and redistribution of these heirlooms to their rightful place, Native Americans will continue to suffer as more and more of their culture is erased. Their history has been stolen. It’s time to give it back.