Sts'ailes Development Corporation

Hello All,

AtBC is providing a workshop in Sts'ailes, targeting a wide outreach to artisans for this important new program around Authenticity.

The intent is to create an Authenticity mark, an education program for tourists and other buyers of art, at key gateways and travel corridors into BC, so that they can SEEK out authentic artworks, instead of buying what appears to be First Nation art, but often is created by non-Aboriginals, and manufactured off shore, with no or little benefit to the communities and artisans.

Once educated, AtBC feels that people will make a conscious choice to SEEK the real thing, and will look for the Authenticity Mark on products and also at entrances to retailers, websites etc.  This project has great leads, and has developed preliminary marketing materials that will also be shared at the workshop.  You will be impressed with how this has been developed, and Artisan input and support is a critical factor of success.

 

This is very important work...and needs the grass roots support from artisans.

This makes complete sense to me, and will influence the future economy for Aboriginal artists, as it will create a pull from the market place, and if retailers want to be successful selling "Aboriginal" art, then they will realize they need to change how they do business and support the "People", not just commodity produced cheap immitation, or immitation produced by non-Aboriginals.

 

Please pass along to all the Artists you know, as they need to buy into the program and show support for this to go forward to implementation with their input.

 

Hosted at Sasquatch Crossing Eco Lodge April 17, 2012 in partnership with AtBC.

 

Hope to see a full house then,

Gilakas'la!

Paula

Tourism Officer

Sts'ailes Development Corporation