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Protections for Indian Artists and Artisans
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB), U.S. Department of the Interior, will host a free seminar, Promote and Protect Your Authentic Indian Art and Craftwork, on Friday, November 20, 2009, at the Red Cloud Indian School’s Eben Hall in Pine Ridge South Dakota, and on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at its Sioux Indian Museum, located in The Journey Museum, Rapid City, South Dakota. These seminars will highlight the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, trademarks, copyrights, patents, Internet marketing, and related business ideas that American Indian artists and artisans may use to promote and protect their traditional and contemporary creative works.
The seminars will serve as a platform for new marketing and promotional ideas and will provide a forum for participants to network and share their experiences, as well as their art and craftwork with other Indian artists. As the misrepresentation of art and craftwork as genuine Indian products continues to have devastating effects on Tribal economies nationwide, the focus of the seminars is also to raise the visibility of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act and other laws that protect the livelihoods and cultural heritage of Indian Tribes and their members.
The seminars are free, and open to the public. They will be held:
Friday, November 20
10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Eben Hall, Red Cloud Indian School
100 Mission Drive
Pine Ridge, South Dakota |
Saturday, November 21
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Journey Museum, Wells Fargo Theatre
222 New York Street
Rapid City, South Dakota |
For additional information on this seminar, please contact the IACB toll-free at 1-888-ART-FAKE, or email iacb@ios.doi.gov
The IACB, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior, was established by Congress in 1935. Its dual mission is to promote authentic Native American art and craftwork of members of federally recognized Tribes, as well as to implement and enforce the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, which makes it illegal to fraudulently market art and craftwork as Indian made when it is not made by and Indian as defined by the Act.
Media contacts:
Indian Arts and Crafts Board
U.S. Department of the Interior
202-208-3773
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Sioux Indian Museum, IACB
U.S. Department of the Interior
605-394-2381
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Federal Indian Arts and Crafts Board Works With New Mexico Attorney General to Shut Down Sales of Fake Indian Arts and Crafts
Consent Decree with Santa Fe Company Provides for More Than $12,000 in Penalties, Offers Refunds to Customers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB), U.S. Department of the Interior, is pleased to join with New Mexico Attorney General Gary King in announcing a Consent Decree reached by the New Mexico Attorney General’s (NMAG) office with Golden Bear Trading, Inc., of Santa Fe on July 29, 2009. The Decree halts the fraudulent sales of Indian art and craftwork by Golden Bear Trading. This case is an important victory in the on going battle against fraudulent Indian art and craftwork in the Southwest.
The Decree culminates a three-year cooperative investigation between the IACB and the NMAG’s office into jewelry purportedly made by well-known Native American artisan Calvin Begay. Golden Bear Trading will pay more than $12,000 in restitution and penalties to the IACB and the NMAG’s office, as well as provide refunds for a four month period to consumers who purchased jewelry under the false assumption it was produced by prominent Navajo jeweler Calvin Begay.
"I want to congratulate Attorney General King and his able staff for helping to lead this investigation and for bringing this successful action," said Meridith Z. Stanton, IACB Director. "State agencies like the NMAG’s office are invaluable partners in the effort to eradicate fake Indian art and craftwork from the marketplace, and the IACB looks forward to continuing to work closely with Attorney General King and his office in pursuing additional enforcement efforts in the New Mexico Indian arts and crafts marketplace.”
Golden Bear Trading permanently closed its business on July 4, 2009. If you have knowledge of fraudulent Indian art and craftwork or would like more information about the IACB, please call toll-free at 1-888-ART-FAKE, or visit www.iacb.doi.gov. For more information on the Decree, as well as refund procedures, visit the NMAG’s website at www.nmag.gov.
The IACB, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior, was established by Congress in 1935. Its dual mission is to promote authentic Native American art and craftwork of members of federally recognized Tribes, as well as to implement and enforce the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, which makes it illegal to fraudulently market art and craftwork as Indian made when it is not made by and Indian as defined by the Act.
Media contact:
Meridith Stanton (202) 208-3773
Virtual Summit for Small Business - September 15, 2009
The Indian Arts and Crafts Board has become aware of an opportunity for small business owners to participate in a Virtual Summit for Small Businesses, presented by eBay and the National Federation of Independent Business.
The online networking and educational event will be held on September 15, 2009, and will feature presentations on “The Keys to Success for your eBay Sales,” “Digital Marketing and Social Networking,” “Healthcare for Small Business,” and “Focus on the Economy.” Participants will also be able to access a virtual exhibit hall and participate in several networking opportunities. You can register at the event’s web site:
http://www.nfib.com/MemberBenefits/VirtualSummitLP.aspx?WT.mc_id=bnr006
U.S. Department of the Interior and New Mexico Office of the Attorney General Promote Authentic Indian Arts and Crafts
WASHINGTON, D.C-- The Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB) of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General have collaborated to publish a consumer protection brochure tailored to the New Mexico Indian arts and crafts market.
Called Take Home a Treasure from Indian Country: Buy Authentic New Mexico Indian Arts and Crafts, this new brochure provides information on the Federal and state laws designed to protect the sales of authentic Indian arts and crafts, as well as helpful tips for buyers to determine the authenticity of the items.
Annual sales of Indian arts and crafts in the United States are estimated to total more than one billion dollars. Purchasing authentic Indian arts and crafts helps to preserve and perpetuate Indian culture and traditions. As the popularity of Indian arts and crafts increases, so does the sale of items misrepresented as authentic Indian products. By becoming more familiar with both the Federal and state laws governing the sales of Indian arts and crafts, and by considering the shopping tips provided in the new brochure, consumers can help to ensure they are buying authentic Indian arts and crafts.
Under the Federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 as amended (P.L. 101-644); it is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell, any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests it is American Indian produced, an American Indian product, or the product of a particular American Indian tribe. Under the Federal Act, Indian labor makes art or craftwork an Indian product.
"The IACB is very pleased to continue its close work with the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General through this excellent educational collaboration," says IACB Chairperson Joyce Begay-Foss (Navajo), "We would also like to thank the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Department of Cultural Affairs, for the use of their images in this lovely publication."
The New Mexico Indian Arts and Crafts Sales Act (NMSA 1978, § 30-33-1 to 30-33-11) provides definitions for "Indian handmade," "authentic Indian arts and crafts," and "Indian crafted." It also addresses the use of materials. For example, the state statute requires that sellers disclose if any of the products use treated material, including stabilized, reconstructed or reconstituted, or synthetic (plastic) turquoise.
"It is critically important that consumers educate themselves before buying Indian arts and crafts because it is so easy to buy fake products," says Attorney General Gary King. "This brochure is an important consumer education tool, and we urge all consumers to take advantage of this valuable resource. I am grateful for the cooperation and assistance of the Federal Indian Arts and Crafts Board."
The brochure is available free of charge by contacting the IACB, U.S. Department of the Interior, at 1-888-ART-FAKE or 1-888-278-3253, or the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-678-1508. Additional information on the IACB is available at www.iacb.doi.gov.
Media Contacts:
Joan Moody 202-208-3773
Joyce Begay-Foss and Rebecca Webster Selected as Indian Arts and Crafts Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
WASHINGTON, D.C-- Joyce Begay-Foss (Diné) and Rebecca Webster (Oneida) have been named the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, respectively, of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board.
The Board carries out the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990; combats counterfeit activity in the Native American arts and crafts market; promotes the economic development of American Indians and Alaska Natives through their creative work; and operates three Indian museums in the Plains Region.
"I am honored to serve as Indian Arts and Crafts Board Chairperson and look forward to working with Vice Chairperson Webster, the other Commissioners, and the staff," Begay-Foss said. "We must ensure that the Board continues to advance and protect the vitality and integrity of the American Indian and Alaska Native arts and crafts market and producers of true American treasures from Barrow, Alaska, to Miccosukee, Florida."
"In addition, I would like to invite Native American artists and tribal communities throughout the country to engage in discussions and recommendations about the issues that impact their work and livelihood by contacting the Indian Arts and Crafts Board
with their concerns, Begay-Foss noted."
Chairman Begay-Foss is the Director of Education at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The museum, operated by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, preserves and interprets historic and contemporary collections and information about New Mexico’s Native peoples.
An accomplished Navajo weaver for over 25 years, Begay-Foss has won numerous awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market, Eight Northern Pueblos Arts and Crafts Show, and the San Felipe Arts and Crafts Show. She draws on this expertise as a writer, instructor, and lecturer on traditional Native textiles and dying techniques. She has been involved in addressing issues and concerns of intellectual and cultural property rights of the Southwestern Tribes, especially with Diné (Navajo) weavers.
Vice Chairperson Webster serves the Oneida Tribe as a staff attorney, providing legal advice focusing on tribal land issues and government-to-government relations. She is also an accomplished artisan, specializing in unique Iroquois raised beadwork which has won her awards at Oneida art shows.
As an active community member, Webster has dedicated herself to preserving Oneida culture, arts, and crafts by teaching others forms of Oneida craftwork, including traditional corn husk dolls, moccasins, clothing, and silver jewelry. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her Masters degree in Public Management from the Robert M. LaFollette School of Public Affairs, and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
"Serving as a Commissioner on the Indian Arts and Crafts Board has provided me with an excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding of the diverse, rich, and complex spectrum of Native American arts and crafts," Webster said.
"As Vice Chairperson, I look forward to advancing the levels of education, compliance, and enforcement of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act among consumers, Native American artists and artisans, and the arts and crafts industry," said Webster. "One of my goals is to assist in promoting Woodland Indian art and encouraging Native American artisans from the Woodland Indian tribes through Indian Arts and Crafts Board outreach efforts."
The three additional members of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board are Elmer Guy (Diné), president of the Navajo Technical College, Crownpoint, New Mexico; Rose Fosdick (Nome Eskimo Community), vice president of Kawerak, Inc.’s Natural Resources Division, Nome, Alaska; and Chuck Harwood, director of the Northwest Regional Office of the Federal Trade Commission, Seattle, Washington.
For more information on the Indian Arts and Crafts Board commissioners, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, and the activities of the Board, please visit www.iacb.doi.gov., or call 1-888-ART-FAKE (toll free).
Media Contacts:
Joan Moody 202-208-3773
Federal and State Collaboration Results in Crackdown On Marketing of Fake Indian Arts and Crafts
WASHINGTON, D.C-- Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said today that a recent jury verdict is an example of an ongoing crackdown on sales of fake Indian arts and crafts led by the Department of the Interior Indian Arts and Crafts Board.
A jury in Gallup, New Mexico, convicted local arts dealer Amro Al-Assi of fraud on August 16, 2007. The Board is currently conducting other investigations into those who sell counterfeit American Indian arts and crafts.
"This verdict should send a strong message to the Indian arts and crafts marketplace and to the buying public that sales of counterfeit or otherwise misrepresented Indian arts and crafts to consumers will not be tolerated," said Kempthorne. "Such fraudulent sales are eroding the market for authentic Indian work."
Al-Assi, then co-owner and manager of the Silver Bear Trading Company in downtown Gallup, was convicted of selling a counterfeit bracelet as the work of a well-known Navajo jeweler, Jesse Monongya, whose original works command high prices in the market.
The purchaser of the bracelet had originally filed a complaint with the Board at Interior. The Board enforces the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, a federal truth-in-marketing law that prohibits the sale of arts or crafts that are counterfeit or falsely represented as American Indian or Native American made, or as the product of a particular individual Indian artisan, unless the item was produced by a member of a federally or officially state recognized Indian Tribe.
The Board collaborated with Interior's Office of Inspector General, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Gallup, New Mexico, to launch a joint investigation. By collaborating with the Eleventh Judicial Division II District Attorney's Office in Gallup, District Attorney Karl R. Gillson's office ultimately chose to prosecute the case under its state fraud statute.
"McKinley County District Attorney Karl Gilson and his staff are to be highly commended for their outstanding expertise, dedication, and hard work to obtain this important conviction. The Board is continuing to receive additional information regarding fraudulent activity in the Indian arts and crafts market, and we are pursuing other investigations," said the Board Director Meridith Stanton.
DA Gillson said that there was "no room to plead this down to anything less than a felony" but to take it to trial and let the local community of jurors hear and decide Al-Assi's fate. Gillson said, "Clearly, the jury sent the message that maintaining the integrity of communities and of the Native American arts and crafts industry is vital and important to the Indian peoples' livelihood and the communities' economic endurance." Mr. Gillson said that his office "will continue to collaborate with the Indian Arts and Crafts Board and other federal and state law enforcement agencies to combat this tide.
Most recently an agreement between Interior and the FBI was finalized that authorizes all appropriate Interior law enforcement professionals, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management, to investigate complaints filed under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.
For more information on federal and state laws regulating the sale of Indian arts and crafts, please contact the Board using its toll free telephone number, 888.278.3253, or visit the Board website at www.iacb.doi.gov.
Media Contacts:
Meridith Stanton 202-208-6416
Joan Moody 202-208-3773
NATIONAL PARKS TO HIGHLIGHT AUTHENTIC INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS
WASHINGTON, D.C.--The National Park Service recently published a regulation that encourages concessioners within national parks to sell genuine American Indian and Alaska Native handcrafts; to make sure that the handcrafts are appropriately labeled, or otherwise identified, as authentic; and to strive to reflect the cultural, historical and geographical characteristics of the park area.
"Thanks to this new park regulation, visitors to national parks now can shop with more confidence that the Native American handcraft products offered for sale are authentic," Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said.
Through these expanded efforts consumers will be able to more readily distinguish art or craft items made by Native Americans from non-Indian made replicas and imports. "By adhering to these good business and truth-in-advertising practices, the concessioners are eligible for specific contract franchise fee exemptions," noted Jo Pendry, NPS Concessions manager.
The new product identification can be provided through an attached label or separate tag, paper, sign, sticker or signed document from the artist or craftsperson. Park visitors will benefit by the inclusion of information attesting to the authenticity of the item, and by learning about regional tribes, art forms and customs. Tribal artisans will profit as well, enjoying both economic development opportunities and acknowledgement for their unique art and craftwork.
"The Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB), part of the Department of the Interior, appreciates that the National Park Service consulted with us when preparing this language to support the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (Act) and the IACB's mission," said Meridith Stanton, IACB Director. Implemented by the IACB, the Act is essentially a truth-in-advertising law which prohibits the sale of arts or crafts as Indian made, unless the maker is enrolled in a federally or officially state-recognized tribe, or is a certified as a non-member Indian artisan. Criminal and civil penalties exist for violations of the Act.
Media Contacts:
Meridith Stanton
Joan Moody
202-208-6416
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR KEMPTHRONE RELEASES PSA ABOUT BUYING AUTHENTIC INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne has recorded a 30-second public service announcement on the importance of making sure Indian arts and crafts are authentic. The PSA is timeless but was prepared in conjunction with the 84th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market scheduled for August 18-19, 2007 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The PSA can be found at PSA_Indian_Art
If you cannot download the audio PSA by Secretary Kempthorne, please consider using the script below as a reader.
Before you purchase Indian arts and crafts, make sure you are buying an authentic Indian-made item. A seller with authentic goods will gladly provide information and a written guarantee that the product is indeed the work of Indians or Native Americans. To learn more, call toll-free, 1-888-ART-FAKE. Be a smart consumer. Buy authentic.
Through the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, one of its agencies, the U.S. Department of the Interior, promotes the economic development of American Indians and Alaska Natives by encouraging expansion of the Indian arts and crafts market. A top priority of the IACB is the implementation and enforcement of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, a truth-in-advertising law that provides criminal and civil penalties for marketing products as "Indian-made" when such products are not made by Indians, as defined by the Act.
Media Contact:
Joan Moody
202-208-6416
AUTHENTIC OR COUNTERFEIT? HOW TO BUY GENUINE AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS
Whether drawn to the beauty of turquoise and silver jewelry or the earth tone colors of Indian pottery, having some knowledge about American Indian arts and crafts can help consumers get the most for their money. The Indian Arts and Crafts Board, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Federal Trade Commission caution consumers that there are unscrupulous dealers who sell imitations, trying to pass them off as authentic and made by an American Indian artist. The IACB and FTC will be offering a brochure with tips to coincide with various American Indian and cultural events this summer, including the Santa Fe Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico, August 19-20.
The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 makes it illegal to advertise or sell any art or craft in a way that falsely suggests it is produced by an American Indian or is the product of a particular American Indian tribe. All claims about the Indian origin and tribal affiliation for any product must be truthful.
To help consumers shop wisely, the IACB and the FTC have published a brochure: "How to Buy Genuine American Indian Arts and Crafts," available at iacb.doi.gov/brochures/indianartftc.pdf or ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/products/indianart.pdf. The brochure explains the types of materials used in these products, and includes buying tips:
- Buy from an established dealer who will give you a written guarantee or written verification of authenticity.
- Get a receipt that includes all the vital information about the value of your purchase, including any verbal representations. For example, if the salesperson told you that the piece of jewelry you're buying is sterling silver and natural turquoise and was handmade by an American Indian artisan, insist that this information appear on your receipt.
- Before buying Indian arts and crafts at powwows, annual fairs, juried competitions, and other events, check the event requirements for information about the authenticity of the products being offered for sale. Many events list their requirements in newspaper ads, promotional flyers, and printed programs. If the event organizers make no statement about the authenticity of Indian arts and crafts being offered for sale, get written verification of authenticity for any item you purchase that claims to be authentic.
Copies of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act and related regulations are available from the IACB's web site at www.iacb.doi.gov. The IACB was created by Congress to promote the economic development of American Indians and Alaska Natives through the expansion of the Indian arts and crafts market. A top priority of the IACB is the implementation and enforcement of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. The Indian Arts and Crafts Board is the only federal agency that is consistently and exclusively concerned with the economic benefits of Native American cultural development.
More information about the FTC and its consumer protection programs can be found at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.
MEDIA CONTACT: Indian Arts and Crafts Board
(202) 208-3773
INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS DIRECTORY ONLINE
Directory of American Indian and Alaska Native arts and crafts businesses available at www.iacb.doi.gov
Washington, D.C. - The Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB), an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, announces the posting of its updated Source Directory of American Indian and Alaska Native Owned and Operated Arts and Crafts Businesses now available at www.iacb.doi.gov.
Organized by state, the Source Directory includes federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native artists and craftspeople, cooperatives, tribal arts and crafts enterprises, businesses privately-owned and operated by federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native artists, designers, and craftspeople, and businesses privately owned and operated by American Indian and Alaska Native merchants who retail and/or wholesale authentic Indian and Alaska Native arts and crafts. The Source Directory is accessible to the public, serving as a direct link between the arts and crafts businesses and prospective customers.
The Source Directory will be updated monthly as new applications for business listings are received and approved. This service is available only to individuals who are enrolled members of federally recognized Indian Tribes or Alaska Native groups. In addition to a completed application, applicants will be required to provide a copy of tribal enrollment documentation from his or her respective federally recognized Tribe or Alaska Native group. To be listed is free.
To receive an application to be listed in the Source Directory, contact the IACB using its toll free telephone number, 888.278.3253, or write to Indian Arts and Crafts Board, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C St., NW, MS 2528-MIB, Washington, DC 20240. Please specify if the application is for an individual or for a group, such as a cooperative or tribal enterprise.
SUPPORT FOR AUTHENTIC ALASKA NATIVE ARTS - Resources to combat fraudulent products
As the cultural tourism industry continues to dramatically grow throughout Alaska, the demand for premium Alaska Native arts and crafts has expanded as well. Unfortunately, as the popularity of these high quality and unique art forms continues to increase, so does the production and sale of items misrepresented as authentic Alaska Native work.
The Indian Arts and Crafts Board will be hosting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and displaying information from federal and State agencies, at an information booth during the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, October 20-22, 2005. Through this partnership at the AFN convention, IACB and FTC representatives will have the opportunity to assess how their agencies may better serve the Alaska Native artists and craftspeople. Additionally, they will be available to answer questions regarding their programs and educate convention attendees on the protections and rights granted to Alaska Native artists and craftspeople under various federal and State laws.
The IACB will be promoting its Indian Arts and Crafts Act, a truth-in-advertising law which prohibits the sale of arts or crafts as Alaska Native or Indian made unless the products are made by a member of a federally or officially State recognized Tribe or Alaska Native Village. The IACB receives and refers valid complaints regarding violations of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal law enforcement agencies for investigation. Convention participants will have the opportunity to file complaints directly with IACB representatives.
In 2002, the FTC launched a multi-media campaign with the IACB and Alaska State Council on the Arts involving the distribution of over 300,000 postcards and brochures through retail outlets, cruise ships, airlines and hotels, helping consumers to distinguish genuine Alaska Native arts and crafts from imitations. This year's convention attendees, artists and craftspeople, will benefit from the FTC's expertise in various consumer protection laws that prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace, and will be provided a means to report possible violations.
The IACB will also present information from the Alaska State Council on the Arts promoting its Native Arts program, including the Silver Hand Program which authenticates Native arts and helps traditional Native artists promote their work. Advocating arts programs that reflect and sustain the cultural identities of the people of Alaska, the Silver Hand authentication program combats a pattern of cultural misrepresentation and misappropriation, and provides a valuable resource for economic development for Alaska Native artists and craftspeople.
Additionally, information will be made available from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that will offer technical assistance on the trademark process and how this may benefit artists and craftspeople in protecting their work through intellectual property rights. Through the registration of trademarks, the USPTO may assist small business owners in protecting their investments and promoting goods and services, as well as safeguarding consumers against confusion and deception in the marketplace.
For more information on these agencies and programs:
Indian Arts and Crafts Board/U.S. Department of the Interior
www.iacb.doi.gov; 888-ART-FAKE (888-278-3253)
Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov; 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
Alaska State Council on the Arts
www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca; 888-278-7424
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
www.uspto.gov; 800-786-9199
Media Contacts:
Meridith Stanton
Director, Indian Arts and Crafts Board
U.S. Department of the Interior
202-208-3773
Charles Harwood
Director, Northwest Region
Federal Trade Commission
206-220-6350
Consumers and Artists Can File Complaints Online about Falsely Labeled "Indian-Made" Products
Consumers can now file complaints about products falsely labeled as Indian-made on the U.S. Department of the Interior's Web Site. Complaints can be filed on the updated web page (www.doi.gov/iacb) of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board.
"To purchase authentic Indian arts and crafts, investigate the background of products," Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton said recently. "A seller with authentic goods will gladly provide information and a written guarantee that the work is Indian- or Native American-made."
The IACB, an agency located in the Interior Department, is in charge of enforcement of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. The 1990 Act is a truth-in-advertising law that provides criminal and civil penalties for marketing products as "Indian-made" when such products are not made by Indians.
Under the Act, an Indian is defined as a member of any federally or state- recognized Indian Tribe, or an individual certified as an Indian artisan by an Indian Tribe. It is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or Indian Tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization, resident within the United States.
For a first time violation of the Act, an individual can face civil or criminal penalties up to a $250,000 fine or a 5-year prison term, or both. If a business violates the Act, it can face civil penalties or can be prosecuted and fined up to $1,000,000.
The IACB warns that consumer fraud not only harms the buyers, it also erodes the overall Indian arts and crafts market and the economic and cultural livelihood of Indian artists, craftspeople, and Tribes.
If you become aware of any market activity that you believe may be in violation of the Act, please contact the Indian Arts and Crafts Board either online at http://www.doi.gov/iacb/ or at 1-888-ART-FAKE.
Southern Plains Indian Museum Announces New Hours of Operation
U.S. Department of the Interior
Indian Arts and Crafts Board
Southern Plains Indian Museum
Announces New Hours of Operation
Beginning the month of May the Southern Plains Indian Museum will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m, closed Sundays and Mondays.
The museum is located at:
715 East Central Blvd, Anadarko, Oklahoma.
For more information, please call (405) 247.6221.
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