Should I Report a Potential Violation?

While the beauty, quality, and collectability of authentic Indian arts and craftwork make each piece a unique reflection of our American heritage, it is important that buyers be aware that fraudulent Indian arts and crafts compete daily with authentic Indian arts and crafts in the nationwide marketplace.  This 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.  It is also against the law! It is a violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA).  

Within the Scope of the IACA

Please note that the IACA applies to art and craft products being displayed or offered for sale, or sold, as American Indian, Indian, Alaska Native, Native American, or the product of a particular Indian tribe as defined by the IACA. 

Qualified Labeling of Indian Style Art and Craft Products

Indian style art and craft products made by non-Indians may be offered or displayed for sale, or sold, as “Native American style,” “Native American inspired,” or in a similar qualified manner intended to avoid consumer confusion.  

Outside the Scope of the IACA

While the IACB is aware of concerns about cultural appropriation, those specific issues fall outside the scope of the IACA. 

Non-art and craft products, such as literary works, films, audio recordings, mascots, educational workshops, industrial products (T-shirts, cook books, etc.), are also outside the scope of the IACA. 

**If you become aware of any market activity that you believe may be in potential violation of the IACA, similar to or different from the following examples, please contact the Indian Arts and Crafts Board by submitting a violation report online (see below) or contact us via regular mail.

Example 1: Retail

During a business trip to New Mexico and Arizona, Harry W. went shopping for Indian jewelry for his girlfriend.  Harry W. was impressed with what was offered at a gallery near his convention center hotel as outstanding "one-of-a-kind" "handmade" Indian jewelry by Michael L., which included silver, turquoise, jet, lapis, and other apparent precious stones.  The sales clerk represented Michael L. as enrolled in one of the prominent New Mexico Pueblos and reported that he produced each piece from his studio workbench.  However, as Harry W. traveled throughout New Mexico and Arizona, he continued to see enormous volumes of work attributed to Michael L. as "one-of-a-kind" "handmade" Indian jewelry.  As a result, he became suspicious that the work was not made by one individual, but was being mass-produced.  As the various sales clerks' stories about Michael L. contradicted one another, Harry W. also began to suspect that the jewelry was not even Indian made.

Example 2: Pow wow

Last summer, David B. and his family decided to attend a pow wow in the Midwest to experience Indian dancing, music, and craftwork first hand.  After identifying a popular pow wow, David and his family attended the event where they purchased a number of items from a vendor's booth, represented as Navajo rug weavings, Zuni inlay jewelry, and Hopi kachinas.  For insurance purposes, David took the merchandise to a knowledgeable appraiser, only to find that the work was imported.

Example 3: Internet

Sarah T. was a long-time collector of Alaska Native crafts.  In searching the Internet one evening, she found a surprising selection of well-priced Alaska Native carvings, including wooden masks and totems and ivory figurines.  These items were marketed with hashtags #indian, #nativeamerican, as well as those including the names of particular tribes: #tlingit and #haida.  She purchased the carvings and requested documentation for each piece.  When the shipment arrived, she became suspicious of the carving documentation.  Upon further inspection, she noticed a "Made in Bali" mark on the back of one of the masks, and areas on the other pieces that appeared to have country of origin markings removed.

Example 4: Artist and Consumer

Mary B., an established potter enrolled in the Navajo Nation, has a friend who recently purchased a piece of pottery marketed as one of Mary B's for a deep discount from a shop in another town.  When the friend showed Mary B. the new purchase, Mary B. became very upset and told him that she had not made the piece of pottery.
 

TO REPORT A POTENTIAL VIOLATION OF THE INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS ACT

If you wish to report a potential violation, please fill out the following information:
 
 

Please only press the submit button once.  The system may take some time to process your form submission.  If after 60 seconds you have not received a confirmation, please contact us toll free 1-888-278-3253 for assistance.