Fake Indian Art Prompts Verification Plan

[NVMojo]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -

Juanita L. Peters sits on a sidewalk beneath the historic portal in Albuquerque's Old Town, hoping the few tourists wandering the plaza will stop to look at her handmade turquoise earrings and necklaces.

A proposal under consideration by the New Mexico Legislature could make things easier for the Santo Domingo Pueblo resident and other American Indian artists who rely on their crafts to make a living.

Rep. Patricia Lundstrom's bill would set aside funding for the state Licensing and Regulation Department to study and propose rules to establish a certification stamp for arts and crafts made by Indians in New Mexico. The aim is to boost sales and ensure the expanding market isn't tainted by fakes.

One other state, Alaska, sponsors a similar program guaranteeing buyers that items bearing a "Silver Hand" seal are handcrafted by an Alaskan Eskimo, Aleut or other Indian artist.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2006/feb/11/021103869.html

[SpiralHawk]

1. "All your intellectual property rights are belong to us." - Whoever

Get it right. Get on down the line.

[WinkyDink]

2. Isn't the term "Native American"? Seriously; I expected to read of

Moghul fakes.

[Benhurst]

3. True, but whatever the artists and artisans are called, I hope they get

some protection.