October 14, 2026
Buying Indigenous art with confidence
Souvenir shops and online marketplaces are full of “Native-style” goods that were never touched by an Indigenous maker. They often cost less, and every sale takes money and recognition away from the artists whose cultures they borrow from. A few simple questions help you tell the difference.
Ask who made it
Authentic work comes with a name. A real artist is proud to be credited, and a good shop will tell you who made each piece and which Nation or community they belong to. If a seller can’t or won’t answer, take that as your answer.
Be wary of vague words
Words like “Native-inspired”, “tribal” or “Indigenous-style” usually mean the piece was not made by an Indigenous artist. In the United States, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act makes it illegal to market a product in a way that falsely suggests it was made by a Native American artist. In Canada, misleading claims about where a product comes from fall under the Competition Act, and Inuit art can carry the Igloo Tag trademark as a mark of authenticity.
Buy close to the source
The best way to support Indigenous art is to buy from the artists themselves, or from shops that work directly with them and credit them by name. That is how Cedar Bundle works: every piece in the shop is listed with the artist who made it.