Indianz.Com > News > Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation works to protect our artists
Protecting the creative works of Cherokee artists
Monday, April 10, 2023
Cherokee Nation
For too many generations, citizens of tribal nations around the country, including Cherokee Nation citizens, saw their language, their culture and their artistic expression suppressed and eroded by policies of the United States. Meanwhile, many non-Indians have profited from art based on stereotypes and misrepresentations of Native Americans.
The federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act, first passed in 1990, finally put some long-needed protections in place. It is a truth in advertising law intended to protect Indian artists and consumers. Unfortunately, the law still defines “Indian” and “Indian tribe” too broadly. Instead of reserving the label of “Indian art” to members of federally recognized tribes, current law extends that protection to state-recognized tribes, which have not passed any of the important federal safeguards against falsely claiming tribal identity.
Recently, I sent a letter urging Congress to strengthen the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act by reserving its protections to members of federally recognized tribes. I called for Congress to include these changes in the proposed ARTIST Act.
LIVE: Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. kicks things off tonight at the reception for #CherokeeDays! We can’t wait to see everyone when Cherokee Days officially starts tomorrow at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.! Head over to CherokeeDays.com to learn more!
Posted by Cherokee Nation on Thursday, March 30, 2023

Chuck Hoskin Jr.
is the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian
tribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the
Cherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from
1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe’s
Secretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the
Cherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.
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