Tribal trends and Native American inspired collections are common in the fashion industry. In this talk, Jessica Metcalfe shares steps that can be taken in order to ensure that Native American culture is represented in an ethical way that avoids harmful exploitation and cultural appropriation. Dr. Jessica R. Metcalfe (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Arizona. She wrote her doctoral dissertation on Native designers of high fashion. She is the owner of Beyond Buckskin, which is a website and business dedicated to promoting and selling Native American made fashion.

The Beyond Buckskin blog focuses on all topics related to Native fashion, including contemporary design, historical adornment, and issues related to cultural appropriation in the fashion industry. The Beyond Buckskin Boutique sells Native American-made couture, streetwear, jewelry, and accessories, and is based out of the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in Belcourt, ND.

She has taught courses in American Indian studies, studio art, art history, and literature at tribal colleges and state universities. She has presented at numerous national conferences, lectured at museums, and co-curated exhibitions. Her current work focuses on Native American art, clothing, and design from all time periods, with an emphasis on contemporary artists. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx