Marnie Jordan
Cronkite News
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The bustling Arizona Indian Festival showcases Native singing, dancing and art to promote tourism and awareness of Arizona’s tribal communities. Visitors can learn about Indigenous culture and history through vendors, art and demonstrations.
To ensure that visitors to the festival, which was in early February, interact with real Native art, an Arizona Indian Festival committee vets all festival vendors for authenticity. Vendors are also required to show a certificate of degree of Indian or Alaska Native blood.
Silversmith Steve LaRance from the Hopi Tribe said people visiting the Southwest find Native American culture interesting and want an authentic experience. “Our artwork carries a lot of that beauty and culture when we create it.”
Tonya June Rafael shows off jewelry she made at the Arizona Indian Festival in a photograph taken on Feb&period 4&comma 2024&period &lparPhoto by Marnie Jordan&solCronkite News&rpar
LaRance said the authenticity of Native American arts and crafts is important because there are knockoffs from Indonesia, China, Japan and other countries that take away from the income of Native people and their families.