Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Another Fake con job

The term "Native American Flute" is used to describe the style of flutes that I create. It does not imply that the flute is made by a member of a Native American tribe. Actually, I am, as most of you are, a "Native American". This is due to the fact that I, like so many of you, was actually born in America. However, in order to comply with mandates set down by The Department of the Interior I have included this disclaimer.

http://www.cedarflutes.com/?gclid=CJPx2ce2qZUCFQi1IgodywL7ag

It has been brought to my attention that Native American style flutes are now being mass produced in China, Pakistan and other third world countries. I've had people in China try to order my flutes for dubious reasons. They're even counterfeiting the Jonah Thompson flutes! Strangers sometimes come by my booth with their video cameras and do their best to take pictures sometimes using a double team. One person tries to distract me while the other films away. I know that they want to "knock them off" and sell them cheaply. Ask yourself this question. "Do I want a flute made by some prison slave laborer or poor woman who is being paid ten cents a day, or do I want a Native American flute that is made in this country by someone who really cares about the instrument and the Spirit in which it was conceived?" The time is here that if you want certain products, you have no choice but to buy Chinese. Let's not let that happen to the Native American flute. I encourage you to "Buy American" when it comes to this instrument. (I encourage you to buy Authentic Native American! Get the Artist or Makers name and Tribal Number to insure you are really purchasing Authentic Native American items.)

(the lower paragraph demonstrates why it is important to get the Artist or Makers name and tribal number before you purchase an *Indian/Native American* item. An Authentic Native American Art piece must include this information. I guess China and Pakistan are going to go into competition with the knock off artists. Authentic Native Americans were here before the Europeans arrived, not those of European decent who were born here - he tries to confuse the two with the first statement)