President Donald Trump speaks about the repatriation of Native American remains and artifacts from Finland, in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Washington. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is at right. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 2:10 PM PT – Wednesday, September 16, 2020
President Trump has announced a repatriation of the remains of Native American tribal leaders from the National Museum of Finland. On Thursday, he confirmed part of the museum’s collection was returned to the U.S. over the past weekend.
“Five days ago, the remains were repatriated to their ancestral homeland and given a proper burial,” stated the President.
For over 70 years, the U.S. Government has been trying to secure the return of Native American ancestral remains from the National Museum of Finland to the tribes of the Mesa Verde region.
The Trump Administration finally got it done. pic.twitter.com/bDMDBzkCbN
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 17, 2020
The items included the remains of 20 people and more than 25 artifacts, all of which had been unearthed by Swedish scientists back in 1891. The remains were reburied at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado after a traditional four-day grieving period.
President Donald Trump listens as others speak about the repatriation of Native American remains and artifacts from Finland, in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“My administration also brought back the Acoma Pueblo shield to New Mexico last November, and that was very important to the great people of New Mexico,” added President Trump. “I’m committed to working with tribal leaders to ensure their cherished heritage is honored, respected and preserved as it should be.”
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has said his country has fulfilled its part of the deal, which was made last year, and is expecting to work with the U.S. on other issues.
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