‘They Hold Our Prayers:’ Priceless Yurok Baskets and Ceremonial Caps Stolen

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UPDATE 5/22: A reward has been offered for the return of the baskets. See new story here.

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Original story: Someone broke into the Potawot Health Village in Arcata early yesterday morning and stole nine Yurok baskets and caps. “It was a major break in,” explained Sherri Provolt CEO of United Indian Services. “They are priceless to us. They hold food; they hold water; they hold our prayers.”

Besides having deep cultural significance to the Yurok people, the items are worth thousands of dollars which is why Provolt believes someone took them to sell. “We’re asking everyone to keep an eye out–eBay, Craigslist. They were stolen to be sold….We have contacted pawnshops and Native community organizations,” she said.

The items, Provolt said, were on “permanent loan to us so we can honor them and recognize their beauty…They are very, very old unique baskets.”

Provolt said that it is important to get the items returned. “We’re more motivated in getting the baskets back; we’re considering offering a reward.”

Provolt asks that everyone please share this information so that the items can be returned quickly. Call (707) 825-5000 if you can help.

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22 Comments
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dirtyjoe
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dirtyjoe
8 years ago

The blue eyed devil did it

Dan Stark
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Dan Stark
8 years ago
Reply to  dirtyjoe

No way!

Linda
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Linda
8 years ago
Reply to  Dan Stark

This is a very serious matter & don’t see any humor in your posts!

robert
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robert
8 years ago
Reply to  Linda

Thank you Linda. Very serious matter. They should also be aware of overseas market.

Tulip Torpedo
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Tulip Torpedo
8 years ago

What were they thinking? We need some bad juju lets steal these baskets?
Bring them back please.

0LDMANWHOSTUMBLESINTHEWOODS
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0LDMANWHOSTUMBLESINTHEWOODS
8 years ago

I THINK THE BASKETS ARE NOT LOST… I BELIEVE THEY WILL FIND THERE WAY BACK HOME…. WE WILL ALL BE WATCHING FOR THERE SAFE RETURN.. PLEASE HELP IF YOU SEE THEM……..

Debra West
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8 years ago

They are beautiful, precious and priceless baskets! I don’t understand why some people don’t realize the importance they hold! I will watch out and also share this post!

Tamara
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Tamara
8 years ago
Kathy Kentta-Robinson
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Kathy Kentta-Robinson
8 years ago
Reply to  Tamara

Thank you for the info.

Katharine Fernstrom
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Katharine Fernstrom
8 years ago

I also suggest that you tell the Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association https://www.atada.org/, American Indian Art Magazine http://www.aiamagazine.com/, and Native American Art Studies Association http://nativearts.org/.

P. Lozar
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P. Lozar
8 years ago

You might send information and photos to http://www.antiqueindianartshow.com/contactInfo.php — these guys put on the Antique Indian Arts Show in Santa Fe every August, at the same time as Indian Market. Not to impugn their honesty — but if they’re willing to post the information at the show and circulate some flyers around town, it’ll get the word out. (A fair number of antique Indian arts dealers show up in town that week and set up for business in motel rooms, so if people are looking out for these baskets, they might turn up.)

Roberta Gran
Guest
8 years ago

I suggest that you contact any large national museums that have Native American artifacts, even the Smithsonian. Their curators may sometimes hear of things on the market, and papers can be forged. Laws have tightened a lot since the days of the Getty scandals precipitated an international fight, but things might slip through especially in less than scrupulous museums. GOOD LUCK!!!

Sharon
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Sharon
8 years ago

i would also contact ebay

Paulette Hennum
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Paulette Hennum
8 years ago
Reply to  Sharon

So sorry to hear about this! We have put the word out to CA State Parks staff statewide.

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[…] Earlier Chapter: ‘They Hold Our Prayers:’ Priceless Yurok Baskets and Ceremonial Caps Stolen […]

Dawn S.
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Dawn S.
8 years ago

Please add the area code to the phone number listed in the article that people can call with info about the stolen items.

Cheri
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Cheri
8 years ago

I have a friend who deals with these type of baskets. I will give him a call today and see what he has to say about finding them. If they try and sell them it will probably be to a collector. this should be a fairly small circle and hopefully easy to intercept.

Dvorah horn
Guest
8 years ago

If funds are needed send out a call. Please no hate speech, only healing.

Lori de Leon
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Lori de Leon
8 years ago

I don’t think racist presumptions help the situation any, no matter if they are in comic book form or not.

It is a travesty that this has happened. We’ll keep due diligence in hope of their return as these are not just baskets and hats but our cultural heritage and tradition.