Southern Plains Indian Museum Exhibition "The Act in Action"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 14, 2017 

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ANADARKO, OKLAHOMA: The Southern Plains Indian Museum, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, announces the opening of a special exhibition, The Act in Action, featuring objects purchased as evidence in Indian Arts and Crafts Act (Act) investigations by agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Park Service.

Sales of Indian art and craftwork in the United States exceed $1 billion each year, and are an important source of income for many Native American artists and communities.  Art and craftwork falsely sold as Indian defrauds consumers and diverts income from potential sales from authentic Native American artists.  These counterfeit Indian products also diminish market prices and standards, undermining the livelihood of Native American artists and craftspeople by lowering both market prices and standards, which in turn severely erodes the markets for authentic work and negatively impacts the economic livelihood and well-being of Native American artists and artisans, as well as Native American culture and heritage. 

To learn more about the Act, please click this link.