Complaint Filed Over Fake Indian Art

A criminal complaint filed with police charges that two Bozeman businesses sell imitation Indian art without labeling it to show it is not authentic.

Joe Horse Capture, a Montana State University student and former president of the MSU Indian Club, filed a complaint against Quest Gallery and Gifts and against Old Bozeman Gifts. He said they do not comply with a state law on Indian art.

The law says Indian-style arts and crafts not made by Indians must be “clearly and legibly designated as imitation” and must be segregated physically from authentic Indian articles. The law also says Indian-style arts and crafts not made by Indians must be displayed near a sign labeling them as imitation.

Violating the law is a misdemeanor.

“The reason I feel strongly about this is there are very few things Indians have of their own,” Horse Capture said Monday.

“Historically, the non-Indian culture took away our land, tried to take away our culture, took away our children and forced them to go to school,” he said. “Now they’re trying to take away our art. It’s offensive when you have non-Indian people make Indian-style art.”

Horse Capture, who produces paintings on jackets of deer and buffalo hide, said non-Indian artists receive money that otherwise would go to Indian artists.

Pat Crowle of Old Bozeman Gifts said she was unaware of the law and is awaiting word on how to comply.

“I don’t put the term ‘imitation’ on anything that I sell,” she said, but any customer inquiries are answered truthfully. “We want to do the right thing.”

Quest Gallery owner Patti Frazier couldn’t be reached for comment.

Bozeman police detective Darcy Dahle said that when she spoke with the owners last week, they said they do not post signs stating Indian-style arts and crafts are not made by Indians. The owners said they would provide that information if asked, Dahle said.

Assistant City Attorney Susan Wordal said Horse Capture’s complaint is under review.