An Indigenous group is asking a Swiss collector to return artifacts to their original owners.

The collector showed some artifacts at a museum in Switzerland before it closed in 2025.

The artifacts are now in storage and may be sold, according to an Indigenous organization.

These items are sacred and need to be taken care of with respect and ceremony, said Karl Stone.

The items for sale include pipes, regalia, and headdresses that are important to Indigenous culture.

The collection is worth around $20 million and includes guns from a historic battle.

The Indigenous group has talked to the collector but has not agreed on a price yet.

They are worried the artifacts might be sold to someone who does not care about their history.

Some of the collection is listed on a site for collectors.

The collector seems to understand the importance of returning the artifacts to their home.

An Indigenous group member visited the museum and saw the collection before it closed.

The artifacts will be checked and priced before any sale, if the group can agree with the collector.

Then, each nation will decide if they want to keep an item or display it in a museum.

The group tried to contact the collector for a comment but did not get a response.

Returning these artifacts is part of the healing process for Indigenous people, said Gerald Neufeld.

The group is asking governments, museums, and the public to support them in bringing the artifacts home.

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