Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Thunderbird Lodge

News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OWNER OF THUNDERBIRD LODGE IN CANYON DE CHELLY NATIONAL MONUMENT OFFERS TIPS FOR PURCHASING AUTHENTIC NAVAJO RUGS

AND NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY

CHINLE, Ariz. – While travelers throughout the Southwest have a huge choice of places from which to purchase mass-produced Native American artwork, sources of authentic items are not as readily available. Visitors to the region do not have to be experts to be sure they are purchasing true Native American items, according to Mary Jones, operator of Thunderbird Lodge in Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Chinle, Ariz. The lodge’s retail operations sell only authentic Navajo rugs and Native American jewelry, beadwork and kachinas acquired from local and reputable artisans.

            “We could sell a lot of the mass-produced items in our gift shop if we chose to,” said Jones. “But it would be an affront to the Navajo people to sell ‘Native’ items that were mass-produced at a factory in Mexico or Taiwan .”

            Jones offered several tips for those purchasing Native American arts and crafts, stressing that it is impossible for the general public to definitively determine authenticity. Instead, it is easier to determine if an item has been mass-produced.

            The first suggestion is to look for tags or stamps that say “Indian Hand-Made” or “Indian Style.” “Indian Style” indicates a mass-produced item. “Indian Hand-Made,” on the other hand, can be either mass-produced or authentic.

            Jones’s second tip is to simply ask a lot of questions. Ask who made an item, what tribe the artist is from and what kinds of materials were used. Silver items, for example, should be made of sterling silver. Turquoise jewelry is often made of plastic or the turquoise has been “stabilized” with dye to change its color.

            “There’s nothing wrong with mass-produced items,” said Jones. “They meet customer demand, but customers simply have right to know what they are buying.”

            Jones has operated Thunderbird Lodge since the mid-1980s, coming from the American Indian hand-made arts and crafts business. As a licensed American Indian Trader for 13 years in Gallup , N.M. , she became very familiar with local Navajo and Hopi artists and the wholesale arts and crafts market. She has worked closely with the Thunderbird Lodge staff to ensure the authenticity of the items the gift shop sells.

            “For the first few years I did all of the buying myself along side our gift shop staff,” said Jones. “They all learned what to look for and how to determine a fair price.”

            In addition to knowing what to look for, the staff knows many of the artisans, especially those involved in creating Navajo rugs. The weavers, wool suppliers and retailers comprise a very tight community, said Jones. “A couple of times people have tried to trick us, but we saw through them immediately.”

            Because authentic Navajo rugs are expensive and the result of many weeks or months of work, it is important that buyers receive assurance. “We offer a 100 percent guarantee that our rugs are authentic and come from Navajo artists,” said Jones. “Yes, rugs are expensive, but people who come here to purchase them are looking for something they will treasure and will pass down to their heirs.”

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            In addition to its gift shop, Thunderbird Lodge provides accommodations, tours and dining.

Thunderbird Lodge is the authorized provider of group tours in Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The touring vehicles are equipped with padded seats to provide a comfortable experience. The tours stop frequently for photographs and to visit ruins, Navajo farms and rock art.

            Full-day tours depart at 9 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. , taking visitors on a 60-mile round trip through Canyon del Muerto to Mummy Cave and Canyon de Chelly to Spider Rock. Half-day tours last 3 ½ hours, depart at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and take visitors into the lower halves of both Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto.

            Thunderbird Lodge offers the only overnight accommodations within Canyon de Chelly National Monument and is open year-round. For reservations, call 1-800-679-2473. For online information on Thunderbird Lodge, go to www.tbirdlodge.com.

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For more information, contact:

Mesereau Public Relations

(1) 720-842-5271

mona_mesereau@msn.com

tom_mesereau@msn.com

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