PowWows.com Classifieds Moderation Policy
Welcome to PowWows.com Classifieds! We’re dedicated to fostering a safe, respectful, and vibrant marketplace for buying, selling, and trading Native American art, crafts, and items. To ensure a positive experience for everyone, we’ve created this moderation policy, outlining the types of listings allowed and prohibited, as well as community guidelines and reporting procedures.
1. Community Standards
Our community is built on respect, authenticity, and support for Native American artisans and cultural values. All users are expected to:
- Respect Native American cultures, traditions, and creators.
- Avoid any form of cultural misappropriation, harmful stereotypes, or offensive language.
- Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for all community members.
2. Commitment to Authenticity and the Indian Arts and Crafts Act
We are committed to upholding the standards set forth in the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA), a truth-in-advertising law that protects Native American artists and buyers by prohibiting the misrepresentation of products as Native American-made when they are not. In accordance with the IACA:
- Only products made by enrolled members of federally or state-recognized tribes may be labeled as “Native American,” “Indian,” or “Alaska Native.”
- Items that are not made by Native Americans must be clearly labeled as “Native-inspired” or similar, without misleading language about their origins.
Any listings that violate the Indian Arts and Crafts Act will be removed, and repeat offenders may be banned from our platform.
3. Permitted Listings
Items allowed on PowWows.com Classifieds include:
- Authentic Native American Art and Craftwork – Jewelry, beadwork, pottery, weaving, paintings, sculptures, etc., created by Native American artisans.
- Native American-Inspired Merchandise – Only if explicitly labeled as inspired or non-authentic and crafted in a culturally respectful manner.
- Supplies for Traditional Arts and Crafts – Beads, feathers (if legally sourced), looms, natural dyes, etc.
- Regalia and Dance Items – Regalia pieces, moccasins, blankets, and other cultural clothing, provided they are crafted with cultural integrity.
- Other Related Goods – Books, CDs, DVDs, and other educational materials related to Native American culture, history, or language.
4. Prohibited Listings
The following items are strictly prohibited and will be removed if posted:
- Non-authentic or Misrepresented Native American Items – Items falsely claimed as Native American-made, or items created by non-Native artisans without clear disclosure.
- Culturally Inappropriate or Offensive Items – Items that mock, distort, or misrepresent Native American cultures or perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
- Illegal Goods – Any items that are illegal to buy or sell, including certain animal products (e.g., eagle feathers) and counterfeit items.
- Weapons and Dangerous Items – Including firearms, knives, or other items prohibited by law or deemed unsafe for the community.
- Personal Services or Non-Related Goods – Including services unrelated to Native American arts and crafts, as well as unrelated merchandise (e.g., electronics, clothing unrelated to cultural items).
5. Listing Guidelines
To ensure a quality experience, all listings should adhere to the following guidelines:
- Accurate Descriptions – Clearly describe items with accurate details, including dimensions, materials, and, where possible, tribal affiliation of the artist.
- Clear Photos – Use high-quality images that accurately represent the item for sale.
- Price Transparency – Clearly state prices and any additional costs, such as shipping.
- Disclosure of Authenticity – Clearly indicate if items are Native American-made or inspired to avoid misleading buyers.
6. Community Interaction and Conduct
- Respectful Communication – All messages, comments, and questions should remain respectful and focused on the items.
- No Spam or Self-Promotion – Listings should be relevant to Native American arts and items; unrelated self-promotion or excessive posting is prohibited.
- Privacy and Safety – Avoid sharing personal information in public forums. Use private messages for sensitive details and follow safety guidelines for in-person trades.
7. Reporting and Enforcement
We encourage our community to report any violations of these guidelines. All reports will be reviewed, and necessary action will be taken, which may include:
- Warnings – For minor infractions, users may receive a warning and a chance to correct their listing or behavior.
- Removal of Listings – Listings that violate the policy will be removed.
- Account Suspension or Ban – Repeated or serious violations may result in suspension or a permanent ban from the platform.
8. Appeals
Users whose listings are removed or accounts suspended may appeal by contacting our moderation team. We will review each appeal and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
9. Disclaimer
PowWows.com Classifieds reserves the right to update this policy as needed to maintain a safe and culturally respectful marketplace. By using this platform, all users agree to abide by these guidelines and any updates to the policy.
Thank you for helping us create a respectful and vibrant marketplace for Native American art and culture.