It is the policy of the National Park Service (NPS) to encourage concessioners to sell native handicrafts to park area visitors. The Congress, through Section 416 of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 embodied this policy into law stating:
Promoting the sale of authentic United States Indian, Alaska Native, Native Samoan, and Native Hawaiian handicrafts relating to the cultural, historical and geographic characteristics of units of the National Park System is encouraged, and the Secretary shall ensure that there is a continuing effort to enhance the handicraft trade where it exists and establish the trade in appropriate areas where the trade currently does not exist.
Section 416(b) of the 1998 Act exempts the revenues derived by NPS concessioners from the sale of United States Indian, Alaska Native, Native Samoan, and Native Hawaiian handicrafts from concession contract franchise fees to encourage Native American handicraft sales by concessioners. Concessioners must mark sales items that are authentic native handicrafts with a label attesting to the item's authenticity, and maintain sales receipts for those items in order to be eligible for franchise fee exemption.
The NPS approves the nature, type and quantity of merchandise to be offered by concessioners including handicrafts. Concessioners must work with their park to insure that this requirement is met in accordance with the terms of their concession contract.
Guidance, Support, and Other Resources
On January 25, 2021, Executive Order (EO) 14005, Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers, was issued to boost American manufacturing by ensuring that federally funded procurement contracts and financial assistance awards “procure goods, products, materials, and services from sources that will help American businesses compete in strategic industries and help America’s workers thrive.”
Because the purchase and sale of Indian art and craftwork falls squarely within the EO’s requirements, the NPS Commercial Services Program (CSP) was prompted to bring the NPS CSP, Department of the Interior (DOI) Indian Arts and Craft Board (IACB), NPS concessioners, and cooperating association representatives together to share challenges, lessons learned, and resources currently available to support the purchase and sale of American Indian and Alaska Native (Indian) arts and craftwork in NPS concession and cooperating association run retail stores park service wide.
The first Native American Handicraft Retail Sales Forum occurred in April. Discussion topics during this meeting included sourcing challenges, public outreach, and opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders. The second Forum was held in October in which representatives from the IACB presented information and led discussions on best practices for establishing direct purchasing agreements with Indian artists and Indian owned arts and crafts businesses, how to ensure that purchases meet the definition of an “Indian” product under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA), and how to build strong relationships with Indian artists and Indian owned arts and crafts businesses.
The CSP plans on continuing these conversations through future forums, so be on the lookout for upcoming meeting invitations on learning about and sharing information on promotional opportunities, general business advice, and requirements of the IACA. Until then, there are numerous resources available to you under the “Helpful Links” section below.
Helpful Links
Source Directory of Indian Arts and Craft Businesses
Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act
Indian Arts and Crafts Board Mission
Certification of Native American Handicrafts (DOCX 16 KB)
IACB Press Release (PDF 167 KB)
IACB Presentation (PDF 9 MB)
Native American Handicrafts Meeting Summary (PDF 147 KB)
Native American Buy American Meeting Summary (PDF 153 KB)
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3rd Native American Handicrafts Discussion Forum 5.25.22
The next Native American Handicraft discussion forum that discusses 1. Sale of culturally appropriate handicrafts and interpretation themes. 2. Increasing diversity and inclusion around culturally appropriate crafts and their place in parks. 3. Sale of environmental preferable products.
- Duration:
- 1 hour, 4 minutes, 11 seconds
Last updated: June 28, 2022