Beyond Carvings For More Information Complaints to the IACB should include the following information: Native artists also produce baskets, To learn more about Alaska Native arts and Alaska dolls, drums, masks, prints, and etchings. crafts, contact: • The name, address, and telephone number of Baleen, a flexible material from the jaw Alaska State Council on the Arts the seller. Native of baleen whales, is used to make baskets, 411 West 4th Avenue, Suite 1E • A description of the art or craft item. etchings, miniature ships and Anchorage, AK 99501-2343 dioramas. Scrimshaw etchings often portray 907-269-6610; fax: 907-269-6601 • How the item was offered for sale. Art stories from the artist's unique culture; and are Toll-free: 1-888-278-7424 • What representations were made about the www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca reminiscent of techniques introduced by Boston item, including any claims that the item was whalers in the 1800s. made by a member of a particular tribe or Alaska dolls, handcrafted by many Alaska Where to File a Consumer Complaint statements about its authenticity. Native women, reflect unique styles. Dolls may The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works for portray daily activities of the artist's people. Doll the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, • Any other documentation, such as clothes and bodies may be made from a variety and unfair business practices in the marketplace advertisements, catalogs, business cards, of materials including calf skin (a caribou/ and to provide information to help consumers photos, or brochures. Include copies (NOT hide replacement non-native to the spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or originals) of documents that support your area), mink, badger, sea otter, rabbit, seal, to get free information, visit ftc.gov/alaska or call position. or beaver. Sun bleached, dried marine mammal toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); The Alaska Attorney General's Office intestine, which is white or slightly yellowed TTY: 1‑866‑653‑4261. The FTC enters Internet, and looks like wax paper, is sometimes used for investigates unfair and deceptive marketing and telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related sales practices in Alaska. To obtain a complaint clothing. Fur from musk ox, wolverine, and wolf complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online are sometimes used for traditional doll clothing. form, contact the Office of the Attorney General, database available to hundreds of civil and criminal Consumer Protection Unit, 1031 West 4th Avenue, Some doll makers use baleen or ivory inlay for law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. the eyes. Suite 200. Anchorage, AK 99501; 907-269-5100; Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB) Alaska Native prints are produced using a The toll-free (outside Anchorage, AK) 1-888-576-2529; variety of techniques. Serigraphy, called screen receives and refers valid complaints about violations or use the complaint form at www.law.state.ak.us/ printing or silk screening, involves printing of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act to the FBI for consumer. through a surface, similar to a stencil technique. investigation and to the Department of Justice for The Alaska State Council on the Arts, Federal Relief print making is done from a raised legal action. To file a complaint under the Act, Trade Commission, U.S. Department of Interior’s surface, like cut stone, linoleum block, or wood or to get free information about the Act, call the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, and Alaska Attorney block. Intaglio print making is created using Indian Arts and Crafts Board, U.S. Department General’s Office have prepared this brochure to help the recessed image from the surface of etchings of the Interior, toll-free at 1-888-ART-FAKE enhance your appreciation for Alaska Native arts or engravings on metal plates of copper and (1‑888‑278‑3253), or use the online complaint and crafts. form at www.iacb.doi.gov. You also may write tin. Lithography uses an oil-water resistance Credits: Basket: Lena Atti, Yupik. Photo by Chris Arend. Dolls: William iacb@ios. and Virginia Soonagrook, Yupik. Titled “Mr. And Mrs. Silas.” Photo by Chris technique to print a design from stone or metal to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board at doi.gov Arend. Bird: E. Oozeva, Siberian Yupik. Photo courtesy Southern Plains plates to paper. , or 1849 C Street, N.W., MS 2528–MIB, Indian Museum, USDOI, IACB. Mask: Nathan Jackson, . Titled Washington, D.C. 20240. “W.H.S.” Photo by Chris Arend. Boat: Israel Shotridge, Tlingit. Photo by Chris Arend.

July 2007 Buying Tips Alaska Native Carvings laska is famous for the rugged beauty Alaska Native arts and crafts are sold through and carvings by of its mountains, rivers, and coastlines, many outlets, including tourist stores, gift shops, vary in size, and often portray animals or as well as for the distinctive arts and art galleries, museums, cultural centers, and the people. Before you buy a carving, learning Acrafts produced by Alaska Native artists. If you Internet. Here are some tips to help you shop wisely: about mediums commonly used can help you are considering purchasing an Alaska Native- authenticate work. made art or craft item, it’s smart to invest a • Get written proof of any claims the seller little time learning about the processes and makes for the authenticity of the art or craft Marine mammal ivory is a popular and materials Alaska Natives may use to make item you're purchasing. expensive medium used by Alaska Native these unique and beautiful objects. carvers. New “white” ivory can have "breathing • Ask if your item comes with a certification cracks," or thin black lines that occur naturally tag. Not all authentic Alaska and should add to the beauty of the piece. By Identifying Arts and Crafts Made by Native arts and crafts items law, new marine mammal ivory may be carved • Price — Genuine Alaska Native art or craft Alaska Natives carry a state certified tag. only by Alaska Natives and sold only after it items should reflect quality of craftsmanship, Any item produced after 1935 that is marketed with Those that do may display a has been carved. Old ivory can be carved by harmony of design, and the background of terms like “Indian,” “Native American,” or “Alaska Silver Hand symbol which non-Natives. Fossilized mammoth ivory may be the artist. Genuine pieces produced by skilled Native” must have been made by a member of a features a silver hand and used by Alaska Natives and non-Natives alike. Alaska Native artists can be expensive. state or federally-recognized tribe or a certified non- the words, "Authentic Native Fossilized ivory is rare and more expensive. member Indian artisan. That’s the law. Handicraft from Alaska." Items • Type of materials — Materials often used Because of the natural variation in fossilized A certified Indian artisan is an individual may also carry a “Made in Alaska” emblem. by Alaska Native artists include ivory, ivory, no two carvings have the same pattern or certified by the governing body of the tribe of his or This emblem certifies that the article "was soapstone, bone, alabaster, animal furs and color. her descent as a non-member Indian artisan. made in Alaska," though not necessarily by an skin, baleen, and other marine mammal Soapstone is a soft rock with a soapy feel. For example, it would violate the law to advertise Alaska Native. materials. Alaska Native artists may use it because it's products as “Inupiaq Carvings” if the products were widely available and easy to carve. Soapstone • Get a receipt that includes vital information Appearance produced by someone who isn’t a member of the • — Try to pick up and examine ranges in color from gray to green, and while it about your purchase, including any oral Inupiaq tribe or certified in writing by the tribal a piece before purchasing it. Some items that scratches easily, it also resists acids, chemicals, representations. For example, if a salesperson governing body as a non-member Alaska Native appear to be soapstone carvings may actually and heat. artisan of the Inupiaq people. explains the basket you're buying is baleen be made of resin. Real stone is cool to the Marine mammal bone, from whales and Qualifiers like ancestry“ ,” “descent,” and “heritage” and ivory and handmade by an Inupiaq artist, touch; plastic is warm. Stone also tends to be other marine animals, is used to create carvings — used in connection with the terms “Indian,” insist the information is included on your heavier than plastic. A figure that is presented and masks. Bone masks are made from the “Alaska Native,” or the name of a particular Indian receipt. as hand-carved probably isn't if you see or vertebrae or disk of whales, and range in color from light tan to dark brown. Bone items are tribe — do not mean that the craftsperson is a It can be difficult to distinguish arts and crafts can order 10 more like it that are perfectly lighter and more porous than ivory, and tend to member of an Indian tribe or certified by a tribe. produced by Alaska Natives from items that are uniform or lack surface variations. be less expensive. For example, “Native American heritage” or “Yupik imitations: Price, materials, appearance, and Alabaster, a white or translucent stone descent” would mean that the artist is of descent, traditional subsistence materials are important clues imported to Alaska, is used as a heritage, or ancestry of the tribe. These terms may to provenance. be used only if they are truthful. medium by some Alaska Natives.