INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS ASSOCIATION GOES DARK

Trading Post TimesTrading Post TimesTrading Post TimesTrading Post Times

The Indian Arts and

Crafts Association

(IACA) will be closing its

doors at the conclusion

of the 2018 membership year ac-

cording to the IACA Board of Di-

rectors.

Founded in 1974 by John D. Ken-

nedy in conjunction with other

traders and artists, the mission of

the association was to protect au-

thentic American Indian art by

combating the influx of fake goods

being imported from overseas,

which were marketed falsely as

authentic American Indian made.

Over the years, the IACA contribut-

ed significantly to legislation de-

signed to prohibit the misrepresen-

tation of the imitation art and

knockoffs, including passage of the

Indian Arts and Crafts act of 1990.

Working closely with the federal

Indian Arts and Crafts Board,

IACA was instrumental in the

closure of many establishments that

clearly misrepresented their offer-

ings as being the authentic product.

IACA boasted a membership roster

of leading American Indian artists,

retail galleries, wholesale enterpris-

es, museums and American Indian

art collectors. Becoming a member

of the association involved an in-

tense vetting process before mem-

bership was awarded.

Members were required to follow a

strict Code of Ethics in their

business approach.

During its history, the IACA hosted

private wholesale markets where

members would be assured of the

authenticity of the merchandise

purchased for their businesses.

These were the largest markets of

their kind in the industry.

For 44 years, the IACA helped to

launch and boost the careers of

many American Indian Artists by

recognizing a single artist as the

IACA Artist of the Year. These in-

cluded very top artists such as

Virginia Stroud (Cherokee/Creek),

Charles Pratt (Cheyenne/Arapaho),

Michael Kirk (Isleta Pueblo) and

Cliff Fragua (Jemez Pueblo).

Financially Stable. So, What

Happened?

According to IACA financial state-

ments, the association was the

picture of health, with assets to be

distributed upon its dissolution. So

what really happened to cause the

collapse of the association?

Since 2012, the association was

managed on a volunteer basis by

the Board of Directors. Prior to

that a paid staff, including an Exec-

utive Director, ran day-to-day oper-

ations. The operational and staff

expense involved in fielding a full

time staff of approximately six

people drove the association into a

huge deficit.

Financial health was quickly re-

stored in 2012 following the elimi-

nation of the paid full time staff.

At the same time, the association

relied upon Board of Director vol-

unteers to manage and conduct its

day-to-day business affairs.

Difficulties began in 2016 when

IACA was unable to recruit new

members to its Board.

Members simply did not step up to

fill vacancies, nor to assume the

operational responsibilities required

by a functioning association. While

financially in good shape cash on

hand was not sufficient to field a

paid staff due to an overall decline

in membership and market partici-

pation.

In April, 2018, the Board of Direc-

tors elected to dissolve the associa-

tion, and to distribute the remaining

assets to a non-profit organization

with goals similar to those of

IACA.

IACA has announced that its re-

maining cash assets will be donated

to the Heard Museum, the Heard

Museum Guild and the Heard

Museum Archives.

River Trading Post and IACA

River Trading Post will continue to

abide by the IACA Code of Ethics,

even without benefit of the

association.

During our own history, both Joe

Zeller and Kathi Ouellet have

served on the Board of Directors

and as presidents of IACA.

Volume 15, Issue 4 October:December 2018

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:

Apache artist Felix Vigil exhibit.

River Trading Post, Scottsdale

October 11, 2018.

Navajo artist Carol Lujan

exhibit.

River Trading Post, Scottsdale

November 15, 2018

Pueblo Holiday Dances.

(Please contact Pueblos for

dates and times.)

R i v e r T r a d i n g P o s t

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Choctaw Gift to Ireland 2

From this Side of the Counter

2

Fall Artist Showings at RTP Scottsdale

3

Happy Holidays with a 25% savings for you

4

THE CHOCTAW ’S G IFT TO IRELAND ’S RELIEF

Trading Post Times Page 2

Between 1830 and 1834, approximately 12,000 Choctaw people were forced from their homeland in

Mississippi onto the Trail of Tears and into Oklahoma. Up to 4,000 Choctaw people lost their lives

on the treacherous trip.

In 1845, far away from Choctaw country, the people of Ireland were undergoing a period of mass

starvation because of a potato blight. Over one million people died during the Irish Potato Famine,

reducing Ireland’s population by around 25%.

Word of that famine drifted back to the Choctaw people, who in spite of their own dire

circumstances, decided to help the Irish people. Together, the tribe raised $170.00 (close to $6,000

in today’s money) toward the relief of the Irish People. It was known as the gift from the

Children of the Forest, our red brethren of the Choctaw Nation.

Today, Ireland remembers the gift of the Choctaw with a magnificent sculpture. In the summer of

2015, Kindred Spirits, a sculpture by Alex Pentek, was unveiled at Bailic Park in Midleton, County

Cork, to commemorate the Choctaw Nation and their kindness to the Irish people.

The sculpture ‘Kindred Spirits’ has nine 20 foot eagle feathers arranged in a circle shape reaching

towards the sky, representing a bowl filled with food.

Truly an amazing sacrifice by the caring and already impoverished Choctaw people.

FROM THIS S IDE OF THE COUNTER

Choctaw people displaced from their

homeland between 1830 and 1834

Kindred Spirits—County Cork, Ireland

The cover story in this issue discusses the mission of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association in terms of protecting authentic American

Indian art.

Each day we buy. We screen, we filter, we look for provenance of old American Indian art material, and we are

selective in order to provide our collector family with fairly priced authentic American Indian art. But how easy it would be to follow

another path. To give you an idea, we want to share a sales pitch with you that we received from a basket company in Pakistan.

These baskets look like the real thing in many respects. And, this is a huge business. Baskets sold at many

places are touted as authentic American Indian baskets. They can be purchased for around $35.00, or maybe

$50.00 at a “fancy” store (before a discount is offered). Sadly, some people visit with us and wonder why a

basket at River Trading Post might cost $500 when the place down the street only charges $35 for one “just

like it”.

Who wouldn’t want to mark up their inventory costs by 10 fold? There is a lot of money to be made in the

knock-off business. Big dollars for the seller while the unassuming customer gets the short end of the

stick...big time.

As we always say, “Buyer Beware.” Purchase from someone you know and trust.

Hand Made Legends is owned by the family that has been in the rugs and baskets business for three generations . Our grandfather started manufacturing of fine baskets and rugs in Pakistan in early 70’s and was the first to produce Native American and South western design baskets and rugs in Pakistan. Attached images are of fine quality shallow baskets measuring size 13 inch made of palm date leaves for your kind review . Thanks & Regards Tahir Habib Director Marketing Hand Made Legends Lahore,Pakistan $3.50 each

Authentic Pakistani

“American Indian Baskets”

Volume 15, Issue 4 Page 3

RENOWNED ARTISTS EXHIBIT AT R IVER TRADING POST

As winter closes in, River Trading Post in Scottsdale will present two great exhibits by two very special American Indian artists in October and

November.

October 11, 2018 an exhibit by Felix Vigil, Jicarilla Apache

Peabody Award winning Felix Vigil will be featured during the Scottsdale Gold Palette ArtWalk from 6:30 to 9:00pm.

Felix Vigil, a Jicarilla Apache and a Jemez Pueblo native, has been

creating art since he was a child. His father, Francis Paul, a highly

regarded artist taught and inspired him to create art. Soon after his

father's untimely passing, Felix pursued art as a profession and in

1980 graduated from the prestigious Maryland Institute College of

Art with a degree in painting. He participates at The Indian Market

in Santa Fe and numerous shows across the country. He has re-

ceived many major awards and accolades for his work including the

Peabody Award for the artwork in the movie "Surviving Columbus".

His work has been collected by discriminating collectors worldwide

and shown in prestigious museums such as the Heard Museum, the

Eiteljorg and the Wheelwright.

November 15, 2018 an exhibit by Carol Lujan, Navajo

Dr. Carol Lujan will be featured during the Scottsdale Gold Palette ArtWalk from 6:30 to 9:00pm.

Carol Lujan is an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation. She resides in Arizona and New Mexico and is a clay and

glass artist.

In addition to her art interests, Carol has a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of New Mexico. She is professor

emerita at Arizona State University (ASU) and is pursuing her art interests full-time working in both New Mexico

and Arizona. Carol enjoys the creative process and continues to expand her knowledge about clay sculpting and

glass fusing while incorporating tradition and culture into her pieces. Her inspiration continues to be founded on the

beauty, strength, endurance, humor and sovereignty of American Indian nations and peoples.

River Trading PostRiver Trading PostRiver Trading PostRiver Trading Post 314 N. River Street

Dundee, Illinois 60118

847-426-6901

7033 E. Main Street, 102

Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

480-444-0001

www.rivertradingpost.com

Going on 18 years now,

River Trading Post has become

renowned for its diverse collection

of American Indian art, and as the

friendliest place around for explor-

ing and buying American Indian

art.

Browse our galleries, visit our web-

site, and we believe you will find a

treasure with your name on it.

BRINGING YOU THE F INEST

AMERICAN INDIAN ART FOR 18 YEARS.

R IVER TRADING POST

Scottsdale Dundee

Phone: 866-426-6901 www.rivertradingpost.com

314 N. River Street East Dundee, IL 60118

Arts of Native America

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM US TO YOU

As the holidays approach, we want to thank you for choosing River

Trading Post as a trusted place from which to add to your collection of

fine American Indian Art.

This year, we hope that you will consider River Trading Post again to

select a special holiday gift for you or a loved one.

We have a beautiful range of great gifts — from note cards and

American Indian Tea to museum classic American Indian pottery,

baskets, sculpture, and Navajo Weavings.

Right now, we have a special collection of vintage Hopi and Zuni Ka-

china Dolls, including classic Walter Howato and Jimmy Koots dolls.

And of course, we always have an exceptional collection of American

Indian jewelry for that special someone.

Our gift to you: A Special 25% Holiday Savings

Enjoy a special Holiday Savings from Friday November 23 through

December 24 in our galleries and on our website.

Visit one of our galleries and just say “happy” to receive your holiday

savings!

On our website, use the promo code “happy” and your savings will be

applied automatically!

Happy holidays from all of us at River Trading Post!