The Alaska's Right to Ivory Sales and Tradition Act, or "ARTIST Act," focuses on exempting Alaska Natives from certain provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It defines "authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing," "marine mammal ivory," and "traditional Alaska Native handicrafts." The Act allows Alaska Natives residing on the coast of the North Pacific or Arctic Ocean to take marine mammals for subsistence or creating and selling authentic handicrafts, subject to regulations if species are deemed depleted. It also allows the interstate commerce of authentic Alaska Native handicrafts and clothing, and prohibits States from restricting the trade of marine mammal ivory or bone by Alaska Natives. The Act also addresses the rights of Indian Tribes and government-to-government consultation.
Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST Act
This bill prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives.
Specifically, states may not prohibit the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, marine mammal bone, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing.
