Story and photography by Kathryn R. Burke

TRADING POSTS ARE AN OLD and respected tradition in the American west. Originally, they were a means for native peoples to trade the bounty of their hunts for supplies and materials they could not kill, catch, or make themselves. They were primitive outposts, manned by white men and frequented by Indian hunters and their “squaws” (roughly translated as ‘wife’ and some of whom belonged to the traders rather than the braves)*.

But like all things subject to “growth” and defined by “civilization,” the posts soon evolved into more sophisticated and increasingly complex operations. The supply of trade goods multiplied—on both sides. Traders traded more cookware and household utensils, flour, sugar, whiskey, and bullets for skins, hides, meat, and then art and personal items.

These latter were often “pawned,” or held by the trader as collateral until their owner could redeem them. Native customers pawned jewelry, saddles, rifles, and other personal possessions, which the traders then sold “over the counter” when the pawn could not be redeemed.

Indian Arts & Crafts
The pawn business became a lucrative operation for all concerned, especially when the retail items were “Indian Arts & Crafts,” a term generally comprising hand-crafted jewelry and wool rugs, although it also encompasses baskets, pottery, “folk art” and other Native-made items.

Although Indian Arts and Crafts became a common commodity throughout the west (US, Canada and Mexico), the Navajo or “Dineh” (the people) soon became the star of the show.

Influenced by Spanish design, and with a ready supply of silver and gold, semi-precious stones—especially turquoise and coral— and native sheep, the Navajo turned out the majority of hand-crafted jewelry and wool rugs. Prolific jewelers and weavers, they are still the main source for Indian Arts and Crafts, although some jewelry and much of the pottery and sculpture comes from other peoples, especially those native to New Mexico.

Trading Posts Today
Few true trading posts are left now, although a few do survive, mainly near Gallup, New Mexico, and these still accept pawn and trade directly with native peoples.

Most “trading posts” or “trading companies,” today are strictly retail operations, many of them with a gallery-like appearance and feeling. They trade straight across the counter, selling direct to the general public. Much of their merchandise is purchased “at market” although the more authentic of today’s “traders” occasionally buy directly from the artists, or even commission their work. Some even subsidize the artists they buy from. The best of these gallery-type establishments* offer an excellent and exquisite inventory of native-made Indian Arts & Crafts, including jewelry, rugs, pottery, baskets, sculpture, and “folk art.” These places are mostly found in the American and Canadian west.

As the supply becomes scare, the older, authentic pieces of museum-quality Indian Arts and Crafts have become quite valuable. Newer, contemporary work by talented artists and artisans, often from many generations of the same family, is also becoming increasingly collectible. Not surprisingly, authentic work is also pricey.

Authenticity
Not all work is authentic however. A good many jewelry pieces and rugs now come from the Mid-east and Asia, where it can be made cheaply and sold for a high profit. If you’re in the market for the real deal, check the provenance of the piece before you fork over your cash!

Also, be aware that not all so-called trading posts and trading companies are dealers in authentic Indian Arts and Crafts. Many of these, found mostly in tourism areas throughout the US and Canada, are little more than souvenir stores. Their inventory is mostly tee shirts and trinkets, although they may carry a few pieces of “Indian” jewelry, some authentic, most not.

Where to find authentic Native American Arts & Crafts in western Colorado
Silverton: Storyteller Indian Store, White Eyes Trading, Little Cate’s Silver Shop, Ortega’s Trading, Silverton Trading. Ouray: Ivory’s Trading & Gallery. Ridgway: Sunrise Southwest. Durango: Sorrel Sky, Toh-a-tin.

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Update. This story originally appeared in the Silverton Magazine, 2009. Since it was published, authentic Indian Arts and Crafts have become even more valuable. In the areas where it is sold, primarily in the American southwest, scores of souvenir shops proliferate, selling what purports to be authentic, but is really poor-quality copies, often made outside of the US. The only stores mentioned in the article above that are still in business and selling authentic work, are the Sorrel Sky and toh-a-tin in Durango, White Eyes and Storyteller in Silverton. The Romeros, who own Storyteller, also have a store in Cave Creek, Ariz., and now in Ouray, as they have taken over the former Ivory’s Trading. Debra Ortega closed her Silverton store, but has several shops in Arizona, but none now in western Colorado.

*The term ‘squaw’ refers to an American Indian woman and is now considered to be derogatory, especially if used by non-Natives.