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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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