There is a lot of heated debate in the fashion world about cultural appropriation, especially when it comes to art and fashion traditionally made by BIPOC communities. One thing that everyone seems to agree on is that it is racist to wear a Native American/Indian costume. No, it’s never okay to ever wear a war bonnet or Native American feathered headdress.

Sure, there always seems to be one, defensive, “I’m part Cherokee” guy at festivals and Halloween parties, with a fake headdress he got off of Etsy. But increasingly, those guys are finding themselves socially ostracized at gatherings. Especially when they directly contradict the guidelines explicitly laid out by party organizers for ticketholders. Come on.

Unlike Indian sarees (you went to a wedding!), or an embroidered blouse (you bought it from an indigenous artisan in Oaxaca), there is literally no explanation for how you could have ethically and consciously come to be wearing that ugly felt-and-glue bonnet at the party. You can’t buy it. You definitely weren’t gifted it. If it’s authentic, someone stole it and sold it to you. No matter what, it amplifies the racism in the festival and fashion industries. I was told by Mary A. Pember, an Ojibwe journalist and photographer, that traditional regalia stolen from pow-wows often winds up in Germany, which has a strange fascination with Native American culture.

In 2015 for an article on Halloween costumes, I spoke to Dr. Jessica Metcalfe, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa who wrote her doctoral thesis on high fashion made by Native American designers. She explained to me that each feather in a headdress was earned by a member of a First Nation tribe through a notable achievement: winning a battle in the past, but now also for, say, doing your dissertation on a topic that shatters stereotypes about Native American people. The person that earned that feather can then cast their vote for a chief by giving him their feather. Those feathers are then assembled into the headdress.

Another issue facing Native American designers right now is knock-offs. Real squash blossom necklaces made by Native American artists of silver and turquoise cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But as cheap fakes have flooded the market, these artists are being forced out of business, and out of one of the few remaining ways of earning good money on the reservation. This goes way beyond the disrespect of cultural appropriation; it’s been called economic colonization.

But, don’t be afraid to wear Native American fashion that is being created and freely sold by First Nation artists. So says the entrepreneur behind B. Yellowtail, the online shop below. They want your money and respect. You can give it to them, by choosing something special and proudly telling anyone who compliments you the story behind it.

Kristen Dorsey, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, creates fine jewelry that draws its inspiration from the stories, lives, and history of her people.

B.YELLOWTAIL is a Native American owned fashion and accessories brand that specializes in storytelling through wearable art. The clothing is designed by Northern Cheyenne/Crow fashion designer Bethany Yellowtail, while the accessories are 100% handmade by a collective of Native American artisans who hail from Tribal Nations throughout North America.

Ginew (Gih-noo) is the only Native American-owned denim line, owned and operated by husband and wife, Erik and Amanda. Created with pre-industrial methods, heirloom leather-working tools, patterns handed down from generation to generation since the 1880s, and meticulously sourced materials — Horween® or Herman Oak® leathers, forged brass buckles, selvage denim, wax canvas, and Pendleton® wool blanket fabric — they incorporate elements of their Ojibwe, Oneida, and Mohican heritage to express a contemporary Native American voice through premium apparel and accessories.

Orenda Tribe founder Amy Yeung is fueled by her desire to honor her indigenous history, to protect sacred lands, and help others. Orenda Tribe is made up of a community of hands working together to craft each unique piece. A small team of artists and makers in Southern California and indigenous artists who live on the Navajo reservation, they are lovers of old things and inspired by the energy of vintage textiles. With each Orenda Tribe garment they creatively approach the upcycling process to repurpose for the future. Yeung is the daughter of a full-blooded Navajo, and her family comes from the Bisti Wilderness-Chaco Canyon region.

Evan Ducharme is a Metis artist with ancestral ties to the Cree, Ojibwe, and Saulteaux peoples. His work explores Metis identity and it’s cultural iconography, with particular focus on creating images of contemporary Indigeneity, reclamation of Indigenous sexualities, and a commitment to environmentally conscious practices.

Louise Solomon is an Ojibwe artist and “urban Indian” from downtown Toronto. Although she was born and raised in downtown Toronto she has always had a strong connection to her Ojibwe roots and Reserve which is Cape Croker First Nations. As a goldsmith, Louise creates wearable forms of art with precious materials, such as sterling silver, gold, precious gems, and diamonds. Many of her artistic expressions stem from her love of Mother Earth and the quick pace of downtown Toronto living.

Manitobah Mukluks is an indigenous-owned company in Canada that makes winter boots and mocassins, along with other artist-designed accessories.

Ataumbi Metals Keri Ataumbi combines her Kiowa culture’s natural materials like quills or feathers with innovative techniques like computer-aided design and 3-D printing to create luxurious, unique jewelry. She was raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming but lives and creates her jewelry outside of Santa Fe.

ACONAV is a respectful representation of the Acoma Pueblo whose traditions and world-renowned pottery art culture are reflected in unique luxury designs. Find couture as well as ready-to-wear cocktail dresses, and accessories.

Based out of North Dakota, Beyond Buckskin is dedicated to advancing creative small businesses located throughout rural and urban communities by providing an online store where customers can connect with Native American fashion designers and jewelry artists. The platform works with dozens of individual artists and small businesses who all advance traditional Indigenous artistic practices by bringing ancient designs, natural materials, and cultural stories to modern fashion.

Alano is a Native American Tahltan multimedia artist and entrepreneur based in West Vancouver, British Columbia, and owner of the Edzerza Gallery. He screenprints his art onto sustainable, made-to-order fashion and yoga mats for men and women. (Please allow two weeks for ordering.)