Beware of Websites trying to sell something especially Tribal Certificates. They will tell you that the certificates are "suitable for framing" but they certify NOTHING except that you paid money for the certificate. Does the seller tell you about how the item was acquired or created? Does the seller try to make you feel that you are buying into the "mysterious powers" of American Indians if you buy the product?

It is illegal to sell items claiming to be made by American Indian people unless it is true to sell human remains or artifacts associated with Native burials and to sell items obtained through illegal means (e.g. theft or fraud). Unfortunately all this happens all the time in relation to Native peoples.
It is disrespectful to sell items portraying Native people in photographs without their consent or selling items in connection with an Indian person's name without consent but both these things happen all the time.
Before you buy something over the Web claiming to be "authentically" American Indian made verify that it is that it is legally obtained and that it does not exploit Indian people. If the seller tries to market "the mystical powers" of Indians with the product and the "powers" can also be yours if you plunk down your money beware! No non-Native person can experience being Indian through the purchase and possession of a thing or an experience.

[16 Sep 1999]