"MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

The Navajo Nation is one of this country's largest Native American tribes, so you might not be surprised to know that many people associate the word Navajo with a distinctive aesthetic associated with the Southwest. But how far is too far when it comes to appropriating that aesthetic? That is the question at the heart of a lawsuit filed by the Navajo Nation against Urban Outfitters. That's a clothing company with stores in 35 states.

That company had come out with a line of products all labeled Navajo. Many people have objected to that. Not just Native Americans, but others.

We wanted to learn more about this, so we've called upon Bill Donovan. He's a contributor to the Navajo Times. He's been covering the Navajo Nation for more than 30 years and has reported on this.

Bill, thanks so much for joining us.

BILL DONOVAN: My pleasure.

MARTIN: Now, as I understand it, the controversy started with a letter to Urban Outfitters written by Sasha Houston Brown, who is a member of the Santee Sioux Nation, but she said she saw these products at Urban Outfitters and was offended. Tell us more.

DONOVAN: Well, what happened was - they've been selling these products for about a year now and on Columbus Day she put her letter online and her letter went viral. Everybody saw it and at that point it became a public controversy. And it got a lot of coverage because she said that she was embarrassed by some of the products that the company was selling with the Navajo name on it, products like Navajo Hipster Panties and a Navajo Liquor Flask."

Get the Story:
Navajo Nation Sues Urban Outfitters Over Trademark (NPR 4/5)

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