Herman Honanie. Photo from Facebook
The Hopi Tribe of Arizona is once again trying to prevent the sale of its sacred property at an auction house in France. Chairman Herman Honanie held a press conference at the Heard Museum in Phoenix afternoon to ask the Department of Justice and the FBI to prevent the sale of the items on June 1. He was joined in the request by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Arizona) and Rep. David Schweikert (R-Arizona). “We are thankful for the immediate support of the entire Arizona delegation and especially the participation of Congressmen Gosar and Schweikert to assist the Hopi Tribe in the return of our sacred objects," Honanie said in a press release. "Our Katsina Friends must be returned home. We will do all that it takes for their safe return.” The tribe, and Honanie himself, have tried to stop prior sales by going through the French court system. The lawsuits have not been successful. The Estimations Ventes aux Enchere, or EVE, is holding the upcoming sale. Get the Story:
Hopi Tribe, lawmakers urge US to stop sale of sacred items (AP 5/27)
Pressure Mounting on Justice Department to Halt Hopi Auction (KNAU 5/27)
The Hopi Tribe Gains Support of Arizona Congressional Delegation to Halt Sale of Sacred Items by Paris Auction House (Native News Online 5/23)
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