This book analyses the legal aspects of international claims by indigenous peoples for the repatriation of their cultural property, and explores what legal norms and normative orders would be appropriate for resolving these claims. To establish context, the book first provides insights into the exceptional legislative responses to the cultural property claims of Native American tribes in the United States and looks at the possible relevance of this national law on the international level. It then shifts to the multinational setting by using the method of legal pluralism and takes into consideration international human rights law, international cultural heritage law, the applicable national laws in the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland, transnational law such as museum codes, and decision-making in extra-legal procedures. In the process, the book reveals the limits of the law in dealing with the growing imperative of human rights in the field, and concludes with three basic insights that are of key relevance for improving the law and decision-making with regard to indigenous peoples' cultural property. "

This timely and pioneering volume provides an ethnically sensitive exploration of the international trade in indigenous cultural heritage. The country reports are informative and insightful; they greatly enrich our understanding of the realities on the ground in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. The book also contains concrete and practical recommendations. It is essential reading for anyone interested in learning more about the protection and development of indigenous cultural heritage.' - Peter K. Yu, Drake University Law School, US'Christoph Graber, Karolina Kuprecht and Jessica Lai have brought together authors who know the field, given them a set of concrete themes and through meticulous editing have produced an integrated work that has the strength of collective insight. This book sets the standard for researchers working on those difficult issues raised by trade and commerce in indigenous cultural heritage.' - Peter Drahos, Australian National University This topical book brings to the fore new and standard-setting research into the connection between indigenous cultural heritage, international trade and economic development of indigenous peoples. The book is unique in taking a multi-faceted approach to cultural heritage, incorporating discussion on tangible and intangible, moveable and immoveable elements of indigenous peoples' culture. From the perspectives of several international legal fields, including trade law, intellectual property, cultural property, cultural heritage law and human rights, the book explores how indigenous peoples could be empowered to participate more actively in the trade of their cultural heritage without being compelled to renounce important traditional values. The national and local legal realities in four jurisdictions (New Zealand, Australia, United States and Canada) lay the scene for a wide-ranging analysis of various possibilities and proposals on how this might be achieved. International Trade in Indigenous Cultural Heritage will appeal to legal scholars and practitioners interested in cultural property and heritage, intellectual property, trade law and human rights. Policy-makers within governmental departments and international organisations will also find much to interest them in this detailed study as will anyone working in the field of indigenous rights. Contributors: C. Antons, F. Bandarin, C. Bell, K. Bowrey, D. Champagne, P.L.A.H. Chartrand, R.J. Coombe, S. Frankel, M. Girsberger, C.E. Goldberg, C.B. Graber, K. Kuprecht, J.C. Lai, F. Lenzerini, F. Macmillan, B. Muller, J. Scott, K. Siehr, R. Tsosie, J.F. Turcotte, B. Vezina

This book analyses the legal aspects of international claims by indigenous peoples for the repatriation of their cultural property, and explores what legal norms and normative orders would be appropriate for resolving these claims. To establish context, the book first provides insights into the exceptional legislative responses to the cultural property claims of Native American tribes in the United States and looks at the possible relevance of this national law on the international level. It then shifts to the multinational setting by using the method of legal pluralism and takes into consideration international human rights law, international cultural heritage law, the applicable national laws in the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland, transnational law such as museum codes, and decision-making in extra-legal procedures. In the process, the book reveals the limits of the law in dealing with the growing imperative of human rights in the field, and concludes with three basic insights that are of key relevance for improving the law and decision-making with regard to indigenous peoples' cultural property.