A family from Wisconsin is imploring Albuquerque residents to be on the lookout for their irreplaceable Native American regalia that was stolen.
Josephine Webster and her family attended the Gathering of Nations event in Albuquerque – North America's largest Native American powwow, according to KOB 4. When the family returned to their vehicle after attending one of the dances, they found that thieves had broken into their car and stolen their priceless family regalia.
"We got back to the hotel late Friday night and the boys went in to check into the hotel, get settled, and by the time they went back out for their outfits, they were stolen," Webster told KOB 4. "The car had gotten broken into; everything was gone and everything was taken."
The regalia is especially precious because the clothing and accessories involved multiple ceremonies and cannot simply be repurchased.
"A lot of the items that they have, they have to earn them. It's not something you can buy or just make; there are a lot of ceremonies that go along with it," Webster told KOB 4. "There are a lot of things you have to do to be able to earn those pieces. Many of them are passed down from generation to generation."
The family got a tip that someone was trying to sell the regalia in the Coronado Mall parking lot, but by the time they showed up, the suspect had left. They returned to Wisconsin for medical reasons. Webster hopes people will call her at 631-887-9264 if they see the regalia or someone trying to sell it.
The Gathering of Nations was recently held after being canceled the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
