Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Arts & Entertainment
Fighting fake Indian arts called an uphill battle


Indian artisans and dealers say it is difficult to enforce the Indian Arts and Crafts Act due to cheap imitations on the market.

Federal law makes it a crime to market goods as Native if they are not produced by Native Americans. But artists say it is easy for people to buy fake knockoffs.

The Indian Arts and Crafts Board wants to pour more money into enforcement. But the proposal would require the elimination of funds for three Indian museums.

Get the Story:
Fighting fake American Indian arts (The Farmington Daily Times 5/23)

Inspector General Report:
Indian Arts and Crafts: A Case of Misrepresentation (June 2005

FY2007 Budget Request:
Bureau of Indian Affairs Budget | Departmental Offices [includes Office of Special Trustee]

FY2007 Budget Documents:
Fulfilling Trust Responsibilities | Serving Tribal Communities | Protecting Lives, Resources, and Property [includes Safety in Indian Country] | Budget in Brief | Interior Department [from the White House]

Relevant Links:
Indian Arts and Crafts Board - http://www.doi.gov/iacb

Related Stories:
Fake Indian art often made in foreign countries (5/22)
Enforcement inadequate for fake Indian arts and crafts (04/13)
Budget includes money for DOI Indian museums (02/09)
Rehberg leads fight to save Indian museum funds (01/23)
Opinion: Saving Indian art by killing the museum (1/18)
Tribes want DOI to continue funding Sioux museum (1/10)
DOI museums set to close but tribes may benefit (1/6)
Jana McKeag: DOI to transfer three Indian museums (12/16)
Firm awarded contract to track fake Native arts (10/17)
Indian artists dealt setback by federal appeals court (03/03)
FTC investigates fake Alaska Native art (11/04)
Alaska Native art campaign a success (10/09)
Fake arts suits owe survival to strengthened law (3/28)
New arts act clears Congress (10/25)
Tribe works to protect art (10/10)
Fake arts still an issue (08/17)
Fighting forgeries in Indian Country (05/18)