Park Says It’s Working to Obey Law

The federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (see related story, F1) was created to ensure consumers that when they buy something purported to be handmade by American Indians, it actually is. Because dozens of Indian artisans will be working at Knott’s Berry Farm’s new Indian Trails area, creating some products that will be available for sale, park officials say they are striving to honor the legislation’s intent.

“We are aware of the law,� said Stuart Zanville, Knott’s Berry Farm’s director of publicity. “At this time we are working very hard to be in compliance with it. We are diligently getting certificates of authenticity for those several hundred items we are carrying that are handmade by Native Americans, which include Kachina dolls, pottery baskets, beadwork and jewelry.�