Supporting Native American artists will always have a special place in my heart and not just because I love and appreciate the art and beauty of it but because I also understand the hard work that goes into the process of creating said art. So for Small Business Saturday I not only wanted to give you a list of Native American artists and businesses I enjoy (and hope you’ll enjoy them too) but I also wanted to provide you with reasons why it’s great to support INSPIRED NATIVE ARTISTS rather than Native inspired art! Read more about the Inspired Natives Project started by Louie Gong in 2014!
GIVEAWAY!
It’s 2018 and I am celebrating 5 years since I started RedstreakGirl.com! It has been quite a journey!! In 2013, I started Redstreak Girl because I felt like I wasn’t seeing people like me, a Native American plus-size woman, represented in various places like mainstream fashion, beauty media, pop culture… and even within Native American spheres the positive representation of plus-size women was/is severely lacking. The focus of my blog has changed over the years but this blog is about doing my small part to change the status quo in regards to representations of Native American cultures and plus-size Native women.
So here we are in 2018! Thanks for following along and supporting this endeavor! As a gift of my appreciation I am giving away one (1) sterling silver dragonfly pendant necklace handcrafted by Diné (Navajo) Silversmith Milford Calamity. I really wish I had something to give to everyone as you all have been amazing and supportive. Thank you!
WINNER WAS ANNOUNCED ON INSTAGRAM.
Enter the giveaway by completing activities within the Gleam app below.
Giveaway Terms & Conditions
This giveaway is open to US residents only (sorry to my international followers).To enter, complete the tasks in the app located on this blog post.The giveaway entry period opens Friday 11/23/18 6:00PM MST and closes Tuesday 11/25/18 8:00PM MST.Once the entry period has ended a winner will be selected and notified by email with 48 hours. The winner must respond and be willing to provide their full name and mailing address within 48 hours or another winner will be selected.Prize was donated by Milford Calamity. This giveaway is not affiliated, endorsed, or sponsored by any social media platform (e.g. WordPress, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter).
Redstreak Girl Blog 5 Year Anniversary * Thank You Giveaway
Supporting Inspired Native Artists
1. Cultural Appreciation
I have written a few times here on the blog about cultural appropriation and the theft of Native American culture by large brands (HERE) (HERE) (HERE). I gave suggestions to those brands (and others) on ways to support Native culture and artists (rather than steal from them). But I don’t believe I have shared enough about how others, people who likes Native American jewelry, can go about learning to appreciate and understand the cultures where those jewelry and art come from and how to support those communities.
True appreciation for a Native American cultures needs to include respect for a Tribe’s right to protect their cultural ways, traditions, and their way of life. This means that they are the only people who have a say-so about when an item or practice is no longer available or open to the public. Just as businesses change and adapt to various factors (external and internal) the wishes of a Tribe should be honored as they are also protecting and looking out for the survival of their cultures.
Be cognizant of the elements of a culture that are off limits to outsiders (for example, items and practices that are sacred) as well of how your actions might further perpetrate harmful stereotypes (for example, outdated mascots/imagery/words).
Bear in mind, I am also a strong advocate that individuals from communities that are often taken advantage of should not always be responsible for educating those who are doing the taking. And so, I hope people not only gain a bit more understanding of the importance of this issue but will also take that extra step and do some individual research. Also, I am not going to go into more description about what cultural appropriation is and why the theft of Native American cultures is damaging. I have linked some of my blog posts above where I discuss this issue and a Google search would provide a wealth of information.
2. Authenticity of Native American Arts & Crafts
There is actually a United States law, The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-644), that prohibits the misrepresentation in the marketing of Indian arts and crafts products within the United States. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, “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.”
The IACA is beneficial to Native American artists; while Native American art is commonly copied and resold, often without penalties to the reseller, the IACA attempts to dissuade this practice. The IACA can also be beneficial to buyers of Native American art; when claims of Native American produced art are valid buyers can know they have purchased an authentic piece of Native American art. However, despite the intent of the IACA to protect artists and buyers, there are still many companies that rip-off and steal Native American designs, and produce products similar in nature to genuine Native American art that may confuse buyers.
This is why purchasing directly from Native American artists and businesses is important – so one can confidently purchase authentic Native American art.
3. Quality of Products
A good deal of Native American jewelry is handcrafted compared to jewelry that is mass manufactured and sold in retail stores. This means that the quality of Native American jewelry is more than likely made with quality materials (compared to synthetic products) and may last a long time with care. I personally have sterling silver and turquoise jewelry that I received 20+ years ago! I know of people who have received jewelry and art that are heirlooms, passed down through generations. But, if one was going to purchase a $40 turquoise ring from a retailer, which most likely is made from synthetic turquoise and copper metal (giving you a green tinted finger), there are places to obtain Native American jewelry (for a similar or slightly higher price) that is authentic, made with quality materials, and will most likely last you longer than one fashion season.
4. Supporting Individuals, Families & Communities
The crux of the matter is that ultimately supporting Inspired Native artists and businesses is not just good for you but is tremendously important to the artists, their families, and their communities. By purchasing directly from Native American artists you are supporting the livelihoods of these artists and helping to ensure the continuation of a way of life.
If you reside in the Phoenix area in Arizona, there are multiple opportunities to shop Native American arts & crafts vendors in person (for example, some of the artists on this list!):
- Nov. 23 – 19th Annual Native American Children Toy Drive & Concert
- Dec 8-9 – 42nd Annual Indian Market
- Dec. 15 – Phoenix Indian Medical Center Health Fair & Holiday Indian Market
- Every Saturday & Sunday until March 2019 – Native Art Market
Gift Guide
1. ACONAV – Couture fashion with Native American elegance founded by Loren (Acoma Pueblo) and Valentina (Navajo) Aragon.
Shop //
2. Beyond Buckskin Boutique – Online boutique of merchandise (e.g. clothing, jewelry, accessories, decor) designed and/or made by Native American artists.
Shop // Under $50 // Jewelry Subscription Box //
3. byNEEKO – Jewelry designed and handcrafted by Navajo silversmith and Neeko April. Jewelry style is “rock’n’roll meets the southwest throw in the 70’s and that good ol’ western charm.”
Shop //
4. Eighth Generation – Native-owned company founded by artist and activist Louie Gong(Nooksack) known for merging traditional Coast Salish art with influences from his urban environment.
Shop //
5. Indigenous Action Media – 100% of the proceeds support Indigenous Action Media organizing and Táala Hooghan Infoshop.
Shop //
6. Milford Calamity – Emerging Diné artist designing and making authentic Native American jewelry.
Shop //
7. NDNinspired – “Where everything is “Rez Life.” Products for the home designed by G.M. Davis (Diné).
Shop //
8. NotAbove – Nanibaa Beck Jewelry. Unique. Fresh. Diné.
Shop //
9. OXDX Clothing – Native American owned & operated streetwear clothing company.
Store //
10. Turquoise Hogan – Alana of The Fancy Navajo & her husband Kyle’s online store for chic Native American silver jewelry.
Etsy Shop //
11. Redstreak Girl – I design hard enamel pins and sell them here on my website. The current Indigenous collection of pins are a fun play on phrases that incorporate the Diné (Navajo) language. Gift a pin in a stocking or add it to a jean jacket or fanny pack!
Shop //
12. Synapse & Renisha Clara – Diné Hip Hop father/daughter duo dropping positive beats.
Stream & Share //
Here are additional Native owned businesses!
Shi Jei Clothing – This Navajo woman owned business is delivering fierceness on a t-shirt.
Shop //
Don’t forget to BOOKMARK this page and check it often as I will update the page as I add additional businesses!
-Nicky
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