Three Pueblo artists in New Mexico have filed suit against state officials after being removed from the committee that oversees the sale of Indian art in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Glenn Paquin, a Laguna Pueblo jeweler; his son, Allen Bruce Paquin, a jeweler; and Merton Sisneros, a Santa Clara Pueblo potter, were removed from the Portal Vendors Association earlier this year. Paquin said they were targeted because they are not Navajo.

Paquin was serving chairman of the committee at the time of his removal. He was replaced by Cheryl Arviso, a Navajo jeweler.

The suit was filed in state court and seeks unspecified damages. Paquin says he lost $6,000 in sales due to his suspension and removal.

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In brief: Artists sue over vendor program [first item] (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/6)
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