07/19/2026
State Recognized Tribal Artists Guild (SRTAG)
Open Letter to Etsy Regarding the August 11, 2026 Animal Products Policy
To the Etsy Trust & Safety and Policy Teams,
On behalf of the State Recognized Tribal Artists Guild (SRTAG), we write to respectfully request that Etsy reconsider a portion of its updated Animal Products Policy, effective August 11, 2026. Specifically, we ask Etsy to revisit the provision allowing an exception for sellers registered with the Indian Arts and Crafts Board while excluding many Native artists who are otherwise recognized under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.
SRTAG supports Etsy's commitment to protecting endangered wildlife and combating the illegal trade in wildlife products. Indigenous peoples have long been among the original stewards of North America's lands, waters, and wildlife, and we share the goal of ensuring vulnerable species are protected for future generations. We believe, however, that wildlife conservation and the preservation of Indigenous cultural traditions are complementary objectives that can both be advanced through thoughtful policy.
The Indian Arts and Crafts Act (25 U.S.C. §§ 305 et seq.) is a federal truth-in-advertising law enacted to protect consumers and Native artists by prohibiting the false marketing of products as "Indian-made" or as the product of a particular Indian Tribe. The Act and its implementing regulations recognize that an "Indian" for purposes of the Act includes:
A member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe;
A member of an officially state-recognized Indian tribe; or
An individual certified as an Indian artisan by a federally recognized or officially state-recognized Indian tribe.
These statutory and regulatory definitions acknowledge that tribal citizenship and tribal certification may derive from either federally recognized or officially state-recognized tribes. The regulations do not make registration with the Indian Arts and Crafts Board the exclusive means of establishing eligibility under the Act. Rather, tribal membership and tribal certification are the primary legal bases by which artists qualify to market their work as Indian-produced under federal law.
Etsy's current policy appears to recognize only one category of Native artists by exempting sellers registered with the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. While Board registration may serve as one form of verification, it does not encompass every artist who is recognized under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. As written, the policy may unintentionally exclude enrolled citizens of officially state-recognized tribes and certified Indian artisans who are lawfully entitled to represent and market their work as Indian-made under federal law.
For many Indigenous artists, traditional craftsmanship includes the responsible and lawful use of feathers, hides, antlers, bones, shells, and other natural materials acquired in compliance with applicable federal, state, tribal, and wildlife laws. These materials are not merely decorative; they are integral to cultural identity, ceremonial practice, historical continuity, and artistic expression. Their use reflects traditions that predate the formation of the United States and continue to be practiced by Native communities today.
SRTAG is not requesting that Etsy weaken its wildlife protections. Rather, we encourage Etsy to adopt a policy that more accurately reflects the categories of Native artists recognized under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act while maintaining strict compliance with all applicable wildlife conservation laws.
Accordingly, SRTAG respectfully recommends that Etsy:
Recognize all artists who qualify under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, including enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, enrolled members of officially state-recognized tribes, and certified Indian artisans designated by either federally recognized or officially state-recognized tribes.
Expand acceptable methods of verification to include official tribal enrollment documentation and tribal certification, rather than limiting eligibility to Indian Arts and Crafts Board registration.
Consult directly with federally recognized tribes, officially state-recognized tribes, Native artists, and legal experts in federal Indian arts and crafts law to develop verification procedures that are accurate, equitable, and administratively practical.
Consider establishing a Native Arts Advisory Working Group to provide ongoing guidance on policies affecting Indigenous artists and traditional cultural materials.
As a marketplace that has consistently championed independent makers and authentic craftsmanship, Etsy has an opportunity to become a leader in recognizing the diversity of Native communities represented under federal law. Revising this policy would not diminish Etsy's commitment to wildlife conservation. Instead, it would ensure that legitimate Native artists are not inadvertently excluded because the company's verification standard is narrower than the categories recognized under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.
State-recognized tribal citizens are descendants of historic tribal communities whose governments continue to preserve their cultures, languages, arts, and traditions. While the legal relationship between federally recognized and state-recognized tribes differs in many respects, Congress chose to recognize both categories within the framework of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. Etsy has the opportunity to reflect that distinction by extending its policy to all Native artists who qualify under the Act.
SRTAG welcomes the opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue with Etsy regarding the implementation of this policy. We believe collaboration with Native artists and tribal governments can produce a solution that safeguards wildlife, protects consumers, respects Indigenous cultures, and ensures equitable treatment for all artists recognized under federal law.
We appreciate your consideration and hope Etsy will work with Native communities to create a policy that reflects both the company's conservation values and the inclusive framework established by Congress.
Respectfully,
State Recognized Tribal Artists Guild (SRTAG)
Advocating for the Recognition, Preservation, and Advancement of Artists from Officially State-Recognized Tribal Nations
