Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 11, 1 November 1996 — Native American k arts and crafts available on the internet [ARTICLE]

Native American k arts and crafts available on the internet

Chinook, World Wide Web Catalog of Native American Arts, Crafts and Food Products went online Sept. 4, paving the Indian highway on the Internet. The effort is creating opportunity for eeonomie expansion in Indian Country by linking hightechnology with tradition and culture. It is a project of the Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network (ONABEN). Its business purpose is to enable artists to increase sales and profits without expensive travel. Chinook is creating market opportunities for artists by providing them exposure to Internet users around the world and will accept their payment for products and services by credit card. Categories include basketry, dolls, jewelry, masks and carvings, paintings, mixed media, Native foods, prints and posters, sculpture, weaving and traditional arts (cradleboards, drum, flutes, teepees, etc.) Chinook requires that all products be handmade and produced by or offered by a Native American or tribal organization. Products must be unique or have an original design and be suitable for the product's usual and customary life, use or function with a minimum retail value of $75. Artists who subscribe will have their photo placed directly on the Web, a brief biography and a list of the work offered. The products are listed with a photo, brief description, shipping cost and estimated time it will take for dehvery. ONABEN's On-Line Catalog Coordinator Laura Nihoa explains, "For example, Mrs. Grant of Tennessee sees a photo on the web of Liana Green's drums. She places an order with her American Express (or Mastercard or Visa). We receive the order and verify funds. The order is good and we notify Liana that she has sold two painted drums. As soon as she delivers the drums to ONABEN or a designated shipper, we write Liana a eheek for her work. The drums are then shipped to Mrs. Grant. Chinook invites all artists with the entrepreneurial spirit and wanting to expand their present business minus the additional overhead cost, to join the high-technology world of Chinook's World Wide Web Catalog of Native American Arts, Crafts and Food Products. Artists interested in being included on Chinook's World Wide Web Catalog pay a one-time fee of $25 per category Usting. If you would like to a packet of information of wish to set an appointment with our Retail Manager Judy Trotter, please eontact Laura Nihoa (e-mail: nihoa@ortel.org) at Chinook / ONABEN, phone 503-243-5015 or 1-800-854-8289, fax 503-243-5028. Chinook's Website address is http://www.ortel.org/ONABEN.