Native American Flute Truth In Advertising

To:  Indian Arts and Crafts Board

We the undersigned demand enforcement of the 1990 Indian Arts and Crafts Act in regard to the Native American Flute.

Just as the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty was ignored by Americans intent upon plundering the ancient homeland of the Lakota(Sioux) People, so too is the 1990 Indian Arts and Crafts Act ignored by blatant scofflaws knowingly violating the Native American People and federal law.

The Native American Flute is an integral part of the Lifeways of the Lakota Nation. By usurping our Identity, these invaders take so much from a People with so little. By demanding we surrender our very identity, these criminals are perpetuating a defacto hate crime. The United States Indian Arts and Crafts Board website states: “The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-644) is a truth-in-advertising law that prohibits misrepresentation in marketing of Indian arts and crafts products within the United States. It is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or Indian Tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization, resident within the United States. For a first time violation of the Act, an individual can face civil or criminal penalties up to a $250,000 fine or a 5-year prison term, or both. If a business violates the Act, it can face civil penalties or can be prosecuted and fined up to $1,000,000.”

According to the 1990 Indian Arts and Crafts Act, the terms “Native” and “Native American” are synonymous with the term “Indian”, therefore it is commonly understood that non-native flute makers/vendors must at least add the term “style” when advertising their wares. Currently, a quick web search of the term “Native American Flutes” will unveil an array of those who connote, profess, imply and outright lie in regards to native ancestry. This is illegal. Why is this allowed to continue?

We the undersigned demand justice. We ask that advertisements by non-native flute makers clearly define themselves as non-natives. We ask that all internet pages clearly delineate this and that all headers, and components of their websites reflect this.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Native American Flute Truth In Advertising Petition to Indian Arts and Crafts Board was created by and written by James H. Starkey aka Wanbli WiWohkpe (wolakota4us@yahoo.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.