Queen of Copper Mountain, Stone Flower and Malachite Chest, The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson, Alaska Eskimo Baleen Sailboat | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Walrus Ivory Mask | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Small Walrus Ivory Seal by Andrew Rookok | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Baleen Whale Tail - large | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Walrus Tuck with Carving | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Whale by Charles Slwooko | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Small Beluga Whale on Ivory Base | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Sea Otter by Carson Slowooko | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Walrus Ivory Fowl | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Cormorant on Ivory Base | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Cormorant by Hubert Kokuluk | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Seals Cribbage Board by Carl Pelowook | Alaska Native Ivory Carving, Diving Bowhead Whale | Alaskan Ivory Carving, Swan by Elvin Noongwook with Base | Alaskan Ivory Carving. Etsys 100% renewable electricity commitment includes the electricity used by the data centers that host Etsy.com, the Sell on Etsy app, and the Etsy app, as well as the electricity that powers Etsys global offices and employees working remotely from home in the US. Fresh walrus ivory, from the migrating walrus still hunted from traditional skin boats, is almost always bright white and can only be carved by a native Alaskan. The seller might still be able to personalize your item. The Alaskan native cultures are the only ones allowed to subsistence hunt walrus for food; and as they have for thousands of years they utilize the whole animal, nothing goes to waste, and the ivory tusks have always been used as a carving medium to fashion art, jewelry, and practical implements. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 907-278-8414. . Parsons was recently chosen to be the new president of Colorado State University in Fort Collins . Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Alaska Native Ivory (29 Results) Vintage Native American Alaskan Muskox Bone Necklace WhiteCliffs (168) $249.99 The Kunik - Alaska Native Inupiaq watercolor painting SalmonberryDreams (494) $10.00 Native American Ritual Spoon Abalone Inlay Indian Carving Tlingit Haida Alaska Art Indigenous Art Handmade Carved Shaman Christmas Gift Born and raised in Nome, Alaska, Hannah (Asaapuk Mukuluk) Alowa ow calls Anchorage, Alaska her home. This Alaska Native Ivory brochure was created through collaboration between the Eskimo Walrus Commission (EWC), the Alaska State Council on the Arts, and others. The walrus population remains healthy today. Marine mammal bone, from whales and other marine animals, is used to create Alaska Native carvings and masks. Travis still remembers the smell from the carving room, it was unique and exiting. With powerful tools and services, along with expert support and education, we help creative entrepreneurs start, manage, and scale their businesses. Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. It depicts a one masted sailing ship. Here you can meet real Alaska Native ivory carvers and hear their stories, gain access to facts and data, download shareable resources and learn more about how to get involved. Original Price $1,250.00 The brochure cover features the Identities sculpture by renowned St. Lawrence Island Yupik master artist Susie Silook. The. Ben currently lives in Savoonga where he is a special education aide in the Bering Straits School District and a Village of Savoonga tribal leader. WALRUS IVORY Pacific walruses are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. The .gov means its official. A figure that is presented as hand-carved probably isn't if you see or can order 10 more like it that are perfectly uniform or lack surface variations. In 1990, it was amended to provide stronger penalties for marketing products as "Indian-made" when not made by Indians, as defined by the act. (15% off), Sale Price $16.80 Sea otter and polar bear hides or skulls and claws must be fashioned into authentic Native handicrafts (significantly altered from their natural form) before they may be sold or transferred to non-Native people. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. Alaska Native dollsreflect unique styles, and may depict traditional activities, such as berry picking, hunting, fishing, dancing, and basket weaving. Rather than receiving lessons, Joe learned his skills by watching others. Traditional Alaskan native art is highly collectable, the stable of artists dwindling, and the ivory carvers of the Bering sea well represented in museum collections around the world. If youre not satisfied, report it to. The name, address, and telephone number of the seller. Per the Marine Mammal Act, they continue to be able to create their traditional ivory art for themselves and to legally sell to discriminating collectors. (40% off). No, it is illegal to sell, trade, or barter sea otter or polar bear hides or unaltered skulls and claws to non-Native people. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is illegal for a person who is not Alaska Native to harvest marine mammals or to create handicrafts from marine mammals harvested after December 21,1972. The seal was later sold at the market, giving Ben a great sense of pride that he produced something to help support his family. It is important to our livelihood and tradition. Share. In Ralphs village of Shishmaref, many of his neighbors make their income from selling their artistic carvings and jewelry. To stop the poaching of African elephants, the United States implemented a near-total ban on the commercial trade of African elephant ivory. For more information on authentic Native handicrafts, we also recommend viewing the following resources:Walrus ivory brochure,Sea otter handicrafts brochure. Through our traditional way of life others will recognize and understand us., -Paul Joe, Sr. His first memory of ivory carving was watching his grandpa work on mastodon ivory to create jewelry. Despite his health issues, Hannahs granddad continued to carve. $33.99, $39.99 Fish & Wildlife Service ePermits website. This will differ depending on what options are available for the item. It is the sellers responsibility to make sure that the buyer or recipient is a qualified Alaska Native. For example, to advertise Tlingit Carvings, the carvings must be made by someone who is either a member of the Tlingit tribe or a descendant of a Tlingit tribal member and certified in writing by the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska as a non-member artisan. This ship stands all on its own. Like Tweet Pin it Fancy Email. Walrus ivory offered for sale that was harvested after 1972 may only be carved All Rights Reserved. Originally born in King Island, Joe (Anatuq) Kunnuk moved 90 miles southeast to Nome in 1956 where he continues to live today. Ivory from Alaska is a popular and expensive medium used by Alaska Native carvers. Export requirements are different for modern ivory versus fossil ivory. WWF recognizes that Indigenous Peoples are among the Earths most important stewards of natural resources. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. In Nome, Vera Metcalf serves as the Director of the Eskimo Walrus Commission. Original Price $807.85 Renowned Ivory Carver, Hooper Bay, AK. From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. The MMPA is a federal law that protects sea otter, walrus, polar bear, dugong, and manatee, but has exceptions for marine mammal ivory carved by Alaska Natives. Walrus ivory can have "breathing cracks" or thin black lines that occur naturally, and may darken with age. Federal law prohibits sales of African elephant ivory, but six states have now banned the sale of ivory more broadly. Fish & Wildlife Service, Law Enforcement Office (see below for contact information). Polishing these objects alone does not qualify as significant alteration.. Type of materials - Materials often used by Alaska Native artists include walrus ivory, soapstone, bone, alabaster, animal furs and skin, baleen, and other marine mammal materials. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Declaration Form 3-177should be completed prior to taking any personal marine mammal product out of the country, even if it is intended that the same person will bring it back. Here are some ways to shop wisely: It can be hard to tell arts and crafts produced by Alaska Natives from items that are imitations. For Daryl, walrus is life and gives life. #13 Creek Street Ketchikan, Alaska P: 907.617.0867 E: hamilton@fishcreekcompany.com Turning off the personalized advertising setting wont stop you from seeing Etsy ads or impact Etsy's own personalization technologies, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive. As a child, he watched is uncle carve a polar bear and wanted it to do it some day. That knowledge can help you authenticate a work. Learn more about the responsible, traditional and legal use of walrus ivory. Alaska Ivory Handmade unique artwork by Alaska's Native peoples. Those partners may have their own information theyve collected about you. Typically, orders of $35 USD or more (within the same shop) qualify for free standard shipping from participating Etsy sellers. WWF encourages decision makers to contact these co-management entities prior to enacting any legislation affecting use and sale of walrus ivory. This creates confusion and prevents purchases which hurts Alaska Native artists and their small communities. The carving and etching of walrus ivory has a long history in Alaska Native communities. We also carry a wide variety of alaska made jade , ivory , arctic opal and alaska gold nugget jewelry, fur hats , Fur accessories , fur coats , fur Mittens , earmuffs , fur slippers , fur mukluks , fox fur , beaver fur , wolf fur , as well as Native arts , native masks , native spirit wheels , Ulu Knives . If you are in doubt, ask to see proper identification, which could include but is not limited to a Bureau of Indian Affairs card or tribal enrollment card from a federally recognized Alaska tribe. Those that do may display a Silver Hand symbol which features a silver hand and the words, "Authentic Native Handicraft from Alaska." (20% off), Sale Price $1,100.00 Doll clothes and bodies may be made from a variety of materials, including cloth fabric, fish skins, calfskin, reindeer horn, and arctic rabbit, musk ox, wolverine, beaver, badger, or wolf fur. These types of ivory are not covered by the US federal elephant ivory banalthough they may be subject to other trade regulations (such as CITES). This is at the heart of the culture and customs of the people. This Alaska Native Ivory brochure was created through collaboration between the Eskimo Walrus Commission, the Alaska State Council on the Arts and others. Fish & Wildlife Service ePermits website, Wildlife Inspector-Anchorage International Airport, Yes, but must be tagged by USFWS within 30 days. Fish and Wildlife Service. She wishes she could show him what she is doing with his pieces and how she is committed to not letting his styles fade away. Choose the options youd like for the order. Watch for qualifiers like "ancestry," "descent," and "heritage." Ivory has three distinct forms here. Fossil walrus ivory does not need to be made into an authentic native handicraft for sale, import or export. If the person persists in asking, you may report them to the U.S. Yes, but only beach found ivory tagged by USFWS within 30 days of finding. Their respect for the land and sea, supports their traditions, values and culture. Living in Anchorage helps her keep her shipping costs down for people buying her work. Welcome to local Alaska Native artist Dennis Pungowiyi's online store. They were successful and his brother said Daryl was good luck. *As defined by the Marine Mammals Protection Act of 1972. Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. Before you buy a carving, learn about mediums artists commonly use. Stone also tends to be heavier than plastic. Alaska Native arts and crafts are sold online and in person through tourist stores, gift shops, art galleries, museums, and cultural centers. Price, traditional materials, and appearance provide important clues. It is a natural material and can have variations in color, imperfections and lines which are all normal. Artists who use walrus ivory are an example of the interconnectedness between Alaska Native culture, natural resources and economic viability. Around the Arctic many remote Indigenous communities depend on walrus for subsistence purposes. Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes. One of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is by buying duck stamps. The ivory with the stand is about 2.5" tall. )* and may only be harvested by coastal dwelling Alaska Natives. Looking for alternatives for your holiday shopping? Sort by: Featured Nesting Goose $68.00 Add To Cart Skull from $578.00 Add To Cart Woolly Mammoth from $129.00 Add To Cart Mammoth and Hunters $646.28, $807.85 Store Policy/ Apron- K. Parker;(C) Lightning/Diamond, Wh/Blue, Hooves, Hat (C)- K. Parker: Woven Merino Wool, Blue & Black Patterns, Merino Wool, Fur Hat- R. Miller: Beaver, Sea Otter, Seal, Glass Sculpture- P. Singletary( C), Crystal Killer Whale Totem, #10/12, 18"x6"x4", Baleen Basket- H. Hank, Ivory Whale Tail, 12", Mask- D. A. Boxley, Cedar & Cedar Bark Rope, Eagle with Beak, Circle Panel, Bentwood Box- D. A. Boxley, Cedar, Painted, Various Designs, 5", Bentwood Box- D. A. Boxley, Cedar, Carved/Painted, Various Designs, 8". Fish & Wildlife Service ePermits website. However, it may require a CITES pre-convention certificate for import or export. Please contact USFWS OLE for questions). Native Alaskan Silver and Ivory Jewelry. Alaskans make. Possess authentic Native handicrafts made from walrus ivory? Click Buy it now or Add to cart and proceed to checkout. $1,100.00, $1,250.00 Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Today Alaskan artists use these same raw materials in their carvings and other scrimshaw artwork. Growing up, he learned a lot through experience and by watching others. Yes, but only to other Alaska Native peoples. In her 2016 testimony for the field hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, WWF Arctic Program Managing Director Margaret Williams said, WWF encourages state governments to consider the federal approach in their state-by-state regulations and to engage with Alaska Native subsistence users when considering potential regulations along these lines in order to avoid unintended outcomes.. In addition to the walrus ivory, these carvers often use whale baleen, whalebone, and walrus bone to enhance their creations. Exporters should inquire about foreign import restrictions as some countries may have stricter national legislation. WWF works to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife, collaborating with partners from local to global levels in nearly 100 countries. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska is responsible for the conservation of polar bears, northern sea otters, and Pacific walruses that inhabit Alaskan waters. Visit Alaska and celebrate Alaska Natives living tradition. State Bans The walrus is all used and not wasted. Yes, (Alaska Native peoples may also make and sell authentic walrus ivory handicrafts). Does shopping on Etsy help support small businesses? Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Alaska Native hunters can target walrus, Native artists can harvest, buy and carve their ivory, and anyone can purchase the art. It serves as an objective, scientific resource for identifying the most commonly found ivories and artificial substitutes in trade. Email the Webmaster. Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript. Fine Russian Arts, Crafts & Gifts since 1980. Joe grew up using carvings to pay for his familys groceries and bills. Real stone is cool to the touch; plastic is warm. Daryl appreciates that his community works as one together, similar to the proverb, It takes a village to raise a child. His first whale harvest was around the age of five or six with his older brother. Baleen, a flexible material from the jaw of baleen whales, is used to weave baskets. (Taken from Arts of the Bering Strait Region: The Economic, Social, and Cultural Role of Traditional Art and Crafts prepared by McDowell Group and published by . 1250 24th Street, N.W. Media Mail delivery is usually 6-8 weeks. (There are pre-act unaltered heads that may be sold lawfully. He creates separate carvings with the same scene and then puts them together as one. WalrusIvory.org aims to inform visitors, lawmakers and others about the ethical, legal and responsible use of walrus ivory by Alaska Native people. We invite you to come to Alaska and see first-hand the Alaska Native ways of life. Appearance - Try to pick up and examine a piece before purchasing it. Under Add your personalization, the text box will tell you what the seller needs to know. Unfortunately, this way of life is in danger, an unintended consequence of walrus harvests being wrongly associated with illegal poaching of elephants for ivory. Youve probably heard: this holiday season, it might be harder to find the gifts youre looking for. We respect Indigenous and traditional Peoples human and development rights and recognize the importance of conserving their cultures. Alaska Native people have been responsibly and respectfully harvesting walrus for centuries. The subsistence use of Pacific Walruses and other marine mammals by Alaska Native peoples and the ability to create and sell authentic Native handicrafts are recognized under the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. WWF tries to make this clear but recognizes the word "ivory" can include material from several species in addition to elephants, including mastodon and mammoth tusks, hippopotamus teeth, narwhal tusks, and walrus tusks. For example, if a salesperson explains the basket you're buying is baleen and ivory and handmade by an Inupiaq artist, insist the information is included on your receipt. Walrus are culturally, spiritually, and economically important for these communities, and the tusks are often carved into jewelry and artwork. Not all authentic Alaska Native arts and crafts items carry a state certified tag. It's the sellers responsibility to make sure that the buyer or recipient is a qualified Alaska Native person. Travis (Qaigruk) Tocktoo is originally from Brevig Mission and now lives in Shishmaref. Fake calls from Apple and Amazon support: What you need to know, The Google Voice scam: How this verification code scam works and how to avoid it, Show/hide Shopping and Donating menu items, Show/hide Credit, Loans, and Debt menu items, Show/hide Jobs and Making Money menu items, Money-Making Opportunities and Investments, Show/hide Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts menu items, Show/hide Identity Theft and Online Security menu items, Identifying Arts and Crafts Made by Alaska Natives, Anchorage Museum Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center. Alaska Natives are among our countrys most skilled artisans, states U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. To learn more and download a free copy of the Alaska Native Ivory brochure, please visit this, Stewarding Conservation and Powering Our Future, Toggle Dyslexia-friendly black-on-creme color scheme, Houston Area Man Sentenced for Selling, Mailing Counterfeit Native American Goods, Two Western Washington artists plead guilty to illegally misrepresenting their work as Indian Produced, Sioux Indian Museum to Present, Behind the Lens: Inside the Life of John Anderson. It stands right at 6" tall, by 15" long and 1.5" wide. Here, you can purchase from a vast collection of beautiful ivory pieces that include jewelry, free-standing art, and even commission your own custom pieces. Rural economies are suffering in the confusion. Own, buy or sell fossilized ivory from walruses that died before 1972? To learn more about Alaska Native arts and crafts, contact: Alaska State Council on the Arts 411 West 4th Avenue, Suite 1E Anchorage, AK 99501-2343 907-269-6610; fax: 907-269-6601 Toll-free: 1-888-278-7424 education.alaska.gov/aksca Where to File a Consumer Complaint Make smart shopping decisions, know your rights, and solve problems when you shop or donate to charity. In these communications pieces, WWF is referring to elephant ivory when using the term "ivory," unless otherwise specified. Copyright 2020 Russian American Company. Unlike many marine mammals, the walrus is not an endangered species and is in fact more plentiful now than it was 100 years ago. Raw ivory is ivory from a Pacific walrus that has not been significantly altered from its natural form into an authentic Native article of handicraft or clothing. Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. If the person claims to be a Registered Agent, ask to see a copy of their registration permit or contact USFWS Law Enforcement (see contact information below) for confirmation, before making a sale. Today, these beautiful Eskimo ivory carvings often feature handcrafted, realistic creations of polar bears, whales, seals, birds, sea otters, and other creatures that live in the Alaska region and Pacific oceans. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. Other doll materials include sea otter, seal, and ivory and baleen inlay for eyes. This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California privacy laws. Please note that although Alaska native ivory carvings are legal to own in the US, they cannot be shipped to many foreign countries. World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID number 52-1693387) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Elephant poaching and traditional walrus harvesting could not be more different. Due to natural variations in walrus, mammoth, and mastodon ivory, no two carvings have the same pattern of color. Meet Alaska Native ivory artists and hear their stories. Walrus ivory art continues to be a source of tradition and culture sharing, pride, artistic production, expression and income. Native Alaskan craftsmen already work within the parameters of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, amended in 1994. "The Alaska Native Ivory brochure is intended to highlight the aesthetic, cultural, and economic importance of Alaska Native ivory carving, particularly in the Alaska Native coastal communities, and to help delineate between walrus ivory and the ban on elephant ivory," states IACB Vice Chairperson Rose Fosdick (Nome Eskimo Community). Fish and Wildlife Service's Marking, Tagging, & Reporting Program prior to sale. The IACB promotes the production, sale, and protection of authentic Alaska Native and American Indian art and craftwork through its three museums and special exhibition programs, online, Bering Strait Arts and Crafts Facebook group. For modern ivory, only ivory that has been made into an authentic Native handicraft may be exported to a foreign country. Under direction of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the U.S. To help wildlife inspectors, law enforcement, and researchers distinguish between different types of ivory and help identify illegally trafficked ivory products, WWF published the Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes, at the request of, and funded by, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in partnership with TRAFFIC and ivory identification experts from the USFWS Forensic Laboratory. Alaska Natives living along the coast of the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea rely heavily on subsistence hunting of walrus for food, clothing, and cultural traditions; the tusks and teeth are used for the creation and sale of artwork. Learn more. New ivory has three layers just like human teeth: an outer (enamel), middle (dentine), and inner core. A CITES permit may not be required for authentic Alaska Native handicrafts made from walrus ivory if they are personal items that are carried out, are contained in accompanying baggage, or are part of a shipment of household effects of persons moving their residence from the United States depending on the destination country. How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same. So, many of us might be looking for alternatives, like buying gifts locally or maybe from online marketplaces or sites you find through your social media accounts, online ads, or by searching Youve opened all your gifts, and now its time to open those post-holiday credit card statements. Directly to your inbox. Learn about getting and using credit, borrowing money, and managing debt. That has repercussions for Alaska Native ivory carvers, who use tusks from . Walrus Ivory - Protecting and Sustaining Indigenous Cultures Walrus is an important resource for Alaska Native people. Alaska Native peoples who reside in Alaska and dwell on the coast of the North Pacific Ocean or the Arctic Ocean may harvest marine mammals for subsistence purposes or the creation and sale of Native articles of handicraft or clothing, providing the harvest is not wasteful. Amy Parsons, third from left, poses with her family during Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2014. Exporters should inquire about foreign import restrictions, since some countries may not allow the importation of handcrafts made with certain species. Ivory from Alaskais a popular and expensive medium used by Alaska Native carvers. 1361 et seq. Learn more about COVID-safe travel to the Last Frontier. Payment Methods, 2023 by Ceramic-Studio. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. She carved her first walrus figurine when she was 10-11 years old after watching her granddad. Hunt Pacific walruses for subsistence in a non-wasteful manner? Product Description. Before you purchase Alaska Native art or craftwork, please be sure that you are buying an authentic Alaska Native made product.. Outstanding work by five additional Alaska Native ivory carvers drawn from the IACBs Southern Plains Indian Museum collections, as well as from project partner University of Alaska Museum of the North collections, also complement the publication. The Russian American Company in Sitka Alaska represents a large number of the finest producers of traditional Arctic Alaska native ivory carvers. Please inquire! A U.S. If theres one constant among scammers, its that theyre always coming up with new schemes, like the Google Voice verification scam. When someone is amazed by his work or is successful because of the tools he carved, Travis is inspired to do more and further perfect his craft. Registered agents may not sell to non-Natives. His handicraft focuses on beadwork and jewelry. A CITES permit may not be required for handicrafts that are personal items if they are worn or carried in accompanying baggage, or are part of a shipment of household effects of persons moving their residence from the United States, be careful as many foreign countries still may require a U.S. Yes, Alaska Native people may sell or trade any walrus parts in any form to other Alaska Native people without restriction. Extremely rare Native Alaskan Eskimo baleen carving. Alaska Native peoples who reside in Alaska and dwell on the coast of the North Pacific Ocean or the Arctic Ocean may harvest marine mammals for subsistence purposes or the creation and sale of Native articles of handicraft or clothing, providing the harvest is not wasteful. Sun bleached, dried marine mammal intestine, which is white or slightly yellowed and looks like wax paper, is sometimes used for clothing. Ivory carving remains a strong tradition passed through generations reaching back millenia. However, the exporter must first obtain a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permit found on the U.S. All rights reserved. Primarily, theYupik ivory carvers are centered on the villages of St. Lawrence Island, offshore from Nome Alaska. . Sell, barter or transfer tagged (raw) ivory? The IACA is a truth-in-advertising law that prohibits misrepresentation in marketing of American Indian or Alaska Native art and craft products within the United States. Ben (Aghnatarma) Pungowiyi grew up in the village of Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island. However, the exporter must first obtain a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permit from the U.S. If youre thinking about buying an Alaska Nativemade art or craft item, invest a little time in learning about the processes and materials Alaska Natives use to make these unique and beautiful objects.