N.Y. Indian Law § 5-a: Surrender of tribal records

§ 5-a. Surrender of tribal records. 1. At the end of the term of

office of each officer, trustee, chief or headman of any nation, tribe

or band of Indians, all books, records and papers of such body entrusted

to or in the custody of such officer, trustee, chief or headman shall be

immediately surrendered to the president, head chief or presiding

trustee, if any, of such body, elected in accordance with this chapter

and in the case of any nation, tribe or band the election of whose

officers, chiefs or trustees is not provided for in this chapter,

surrender shall be made to the senior head chief chosen according to the

custom of such nation, tribe or band.

2. All persons having in their possession or under their control any

book, record or paper belonging to any nation, tribe or band of Indians

shall upon demand of the president, head chief or presiding trustee, if

any, of such body, elected in accordance with this chapter, surrender

the same to such officer, and in the case of any nation, tribe or band

the election of whose officers, chiefs or trustees is not provided for

in this chapter, upon demand of the senior head chief chosen according

to the custom of such nation, tribe or band, surrender shall be made to

such officer.

3. A violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and upon

conviction of such violation the offender shall be punishable by

imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding one year or

by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or both, in the discretion

of the court.