New York Consolidated Laws, Indian Law - IND § 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.