Oct 26 2007
Where’s it Safe to Buy?Museum Shops - There are shops at major museums such as the Herd in Phoenix, that are very careful about the origin and quality of their merchandise. Buying from a museum shop known for their knowledge of Native American culture and art would be a very safe bet.
Reputable Trading Posts – There are some long-time traders in Gallup, New Mexico, for example that are known for trading with Native American artisans. When you purchase from them they can tell you who made the item and what tribe they are from. Here’s our article on Gallup Trading Posts. I feel comfortable buying from any of the trading posts mentioned in the article.
Fairs and Events - There are some great exhibitions and competitions of Native American art. I recently attended both the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial and the Santa Fe Indian Market. I enjoyed seeing which items won prizes and learned much from studying the art and remembering the artisans’ names. At events like these, the prices may be high but you can be assured of purchasing a top-notch piece of jewelry or art. If you go to a Pow Wow or Ceremonial, look for the juried art show as other vendors may not be screened and you may not be assured of authenticity.
There are juried shows such as the Litchfield Native Arts Festival, near Phoenix, where you can also see artists who have been screened for quality and authenticity.
Buying Directly from the Artists - Most often you will meet Native American artists at shows or exhibiting at fairs. Rarely will you have the opportunity to visit the artisan’s homes. However, at Zuni Pueblo, for example, the Visitor’s Center offers paid tours where you will be able to visit the homes and workshops of one or two artisans. There are also a few artisans who have shops that are open to the public in Zuni.
In the historic Acoma Sky City, you can take a tour of the high mesa where potters live and sell their wares. You can often meet the artist and inquire whether the art is made in the traditional coil method or is painted “green ware,” for example. It’s a great opportunity to learn about Acoma pottery and make a purchase directly from the artist or artist’s family.
There are Laws
You can actually report jewelry and art being sold as Native American that is not. There is an Indian Arts and Crafts Act which prohibits the misrepresentation of Indian arts and craft products within the United States. This act is a truth in advertising law making it illegal to offer or display for sale any good in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, or the product of a particular Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization within the United States. The law provides criminal and civil penalties for misrepresenting Indian arts and crafts.
If you would like to know more about the law and how it protects Native American artisans, you can find more information on the Indian Arts and Crafts Board – Department of the Interior website. You can even listen to an audio message from Interior Secretary Kempthorne on authentic Indian art, and, if you find someone misrepresenting Native American art, you can report a violation.
Resources
Department of the Interior Website
Which is Handmade? Brochure in .pdf format.
Council for Indigenous Arts and Culture
