product that is entirely made by Indian hand 

labor using manually controlled methods, and not 

by machine. “Indian crafted” is any item that is 

made only in part by an Indian, or that is partly 

or completely made by an Indian using machines. 

When shopping for Indian art, ask about the 

authenticity of an item by using these terms. If the 

seller says that the item is “authentic Indian art” or 

that it is “Indian handmade,” ask the seller to write 

that on your receipt. If that representation is false, 

the seller has violated the IACSA, entitling you to 

repayment of the purchase price if you return the 

item.

The IACSA also requires the seller to disclose in 

writing if the product uses any type of treated 

material, including stabilized, reconstructed 

or reconstituted, or synthetic (including plastic) 

turquoise. These treated types of turquoise are 

not completely natural and have been altered in 

varying degrees to enhance stability and color. 

A seller’s failure to give the required written 

disclosure to a consumer violates the Act and 

entitles the consumer to repayment of the purchase 

price upon the return of the item.

The Consumer Protection Division of the New 

Mexico Attorney General’s Office enforces the 

provisions of the IACSA.

YOUR RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER

If you think a business or individual is selling a nonauthentic art or craft item as an American Indian 

product, the action may be in violation of both the 

Federal and State laws regulating the industry.

For more information, or to file a complaint(s), 

contact:

INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS BOARD

U.S. Department of the Interior

1849 C Street, NW, MS 2528-MIB

Washington, DC 20240

1-888-ART-FAKE or 1-888-278-3253

1-202-208-5196 (fax)

www.iacb.doi.gov

iacb@ios.doi.gov

NEW MEXICO OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY 

GENERAL

Consumer Protection Division

408 Galisteo Street

P.O. Drawer 1508

Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508

1-800-678-1508 or

1-505-827-6685 (fax)

www.nmag.gov

SHOP WISELY...TIPS FOR BUYING

• When purchasing from a dealer, choose one with 

a good reputation

• Request a written guarantee or written verification 

of authenticity

• Get a receipt that includes all the vital information 

about your purchase, including price, maker, and 

maker’s Tribal affiliation

• Familiarize yourself with the different materials 

and types of American Indian arts and crafts, 

as well as the indicators of a well-made, 

handcrafted piece

• Realize that authentic handmade pieces may be 

expensive...if a price seems too good to be true, 

be sure to ask more questions about the item and 

its maker

Indian Arts and Crafts Act

U.S. Department of the Interior

All images are from the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/

Laboratory of Anthropology, Department of Cultural Affairs, 

www.indianartsandculture.org

56277/12, Ganado Chiefs variant, 2002, Grace Henderson Nez, Navajo

56416/13, “Two Kachina Masks”, 1989, R. Montoya, Sandia San Juan

Take home a treasure 

from Indian Country:

Buy Authentic

New Mexico Indian

Arts and Crafts
The State of New Mexico is home to 22 Federallyrecognized Indian Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos. 

New Mexico’s Indians are famous around the 

world for their pottery, jewelry, basket and textile 

weaving, and fine art. The distinctive art, crafts, 

and cultural traditions of New Mexico Indians 

have been passed down through the generations 

and are intrinsic to the Land of 

Enchantment. 

Purchasing authentic Indian 

arts and crafts not only helps to 

preserve memories of your time in 

the Land of Enchantment, it also 

allows you to help preserve and 

perpetuate New Mexico Indian 

culture and traditions.

Before you shop, there 

is some important 

information to know 

about purchasing New 

Mexico Indian arts 

and crafts.

As the popularity 

and availability of 

Indian arts and 

crafts increases, 

so does the 

sale of items 

misrepresented 

as authentic 

Indian 

products. You 

can help to 

protect yourself 

by becoming 

familiar with the 

laws regulating the sale 

of Indian arts and crafts in 

New Mexico, and by considering the 

shopping tips provided in this brochure. 

PROHIBITED by Federal Law...

Under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 

(P.L. 101-644), as amended, it is illegal to offer or 

display for sale, or sell, any art or craft product 

in a manner that falsely suggests it is American 

Indian produced, an American Indian product, 

or the product of a particular 

American Indian Tribe.

Under Federal law, 

“Authentic Indian art 

and craft” means any 

art and craft product, 

including traditional or 

contemporary, that is

made with Indian labor.

All products must be 

marketed truthfully regarding 

the Indian heritage and Tribal 

affiliation of the producers so as not 

to mislead the consumer. It is illegal to 

market an art or craft item using the name 

of a Tribe if a member, or certified American 

Indian artisan*, of that Tribe did not actually 

create the art or craft item.

For example, products sold using a sign 

claiming “Indian Jewelry – Direct from the 

Reservation,” would be a violation of the 

Indian Arts and Crafts Act if the jewelry 

was produced by someone other than 

a member, or certified American Indian 

artisan, of an American Indian Tribe. 

Products advertised as “Navajo Jewelry” 

would be in violation of the Act if they were 

produced by someone who is not a member of 

the Navajo Tribe.

Covering all American Indian and Indian-style 

traditional and contemporary arts and crafts 

produced after 1935, the Indian Arts and Crafts 

Act broadly applies to the 

marketing of arts and crafts 

by any person within the 

United States.

The Indian Arts and Crafts 

Act is administered by 

the Indian Arts and Crafts 

Board, an agency of the U.S. 

Department of the Interior.

* Certified Indian artisan means 

an individual who is certified by the 

governing body of an Indian Tribe as a 

non-member Indian artisan.

PROHIBITED by State Law...

New Mexico’s Indian Arts and Crafts Sales Act 

(“IACSA”), NMSA 1978, § 30-33-1 to 30-33-11, 

makes it illegal to represent an item as having 

been made by a Native American or American 

Indian unless that is true. 

The IACSA creates three important definitions 

that consumers should know. “Indian handmade” 

and “authentic Indian arts and crafts” mean any 

Credits: 1. 55266/12, Polychrome Jar, 1992, Seferina Ortiz, Cochiti 2. 55192/12, Turquoise Necklace, 1990, Ray Lovato Jr., Santo Domingo

3. 53492/13, “Kachina Sun Face”, 1990, R. Montoya, Sandia San Juan 4. 56964/12a,b, Bracelets, 2005, Dan A. Jackson, Navajo 5. 57317/12, Polychrome Figurine, 2007, Janice Ortiz, Cochiti

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