Objects from the Wereldmuseum Leiden collection to be returned to indigenous tribe in the US

In response to a request by the United States and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo of Texas, and on the advice of the Colonial Collections Committee, Minister of Education, Culture and Science Eppo Bruins will be returning seven objects from the Dutch National Art Collection.

Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is a federally recognised tribe by the United States government that was colonised first by Spanish settlers in the 17^th century. In the late 19th century the objects in question (including a shield and musical instruments), which are of great importance to the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, were wrongfully brought to the Netherlands.

On the basis of a provenance investigation conducted by the Wereldmuseum, the Colonial Collections Committee advised the minister to return these objects in line with colonial collections policy. The investigation revealed that the collector of these objects used force, threats and bribery to obtain items for his collection.

The Committee's advisory report, which was drawn up in dialogue with representatives of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, is available on the Committee's website. Arrangements for the swift return of the objects will be made in consultation with representatives of the United States and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.