I’ve got some tough news to share.
Facebook has permanently removed our Pow Wow Trading Post group. With over 80,000 members, this group was an incredible space for artists to sell beadwork, skirts, regalia, art, and so much more. Sadly, due to Facebook’s policy banning any sales of animal parts (whether legal or not), our group was targeted and taken down.
I reached out to Facebook support to try to resolve this, but as of now, there’s no appeal process available. The group, as we knew it, is gone. I know how devastating this is for everyone who depended on it to connect and support Native art and culture.
But we’re not giving up. I was already working on a new classifieds website specifically for our community, and now those plans are moving full-speed ahead. This new site will be a dedicated marketplace where we can gather, buy, sell, and celebrate our culture without the risk of being shut down.
Building this from scratch is going to be a challenge. Our developer is working hard on coding the site, but we’ll also need time, resources, and a lot of promotion to reach our community. It’s not as easy as Facebook, where thousands of people are online every day—this is something we’ll have to grow together.
Here’s how you can help!
Stay up to date by on the project on our special email list.
You can also contribute to the project!
Thank you for being part of this journey, and for helping us create a new home for Native art and culture.
Together, we’ll make it happen!
2024 Explore Native Challenge
Bonus Code – 4059275
Amos Miller
says:This is a direct result of have ‘woke’ and uneducated DEI individuals (and 0 NAs) working at these sites. Reach out to Musk and to Trump and see how they respond to encouraging small businesses that have been shut out by ‘the big boys’. You may feel you have to hold your nose, but remember: it will be the Musks and Trumps that promised to help all minorities and and small businesses in the coming years. And, don’t worry – we will find you!!
Dawn
says:Has anyone checked out the possibilities on TikTok? I have seen some Native American artists there so hope there is a much better opportunity there.
Janice Prucker
says:I would be happy to help any way I can.
Debra West
says:This is a Shame…Amazon, Etsy were doing the same thing to the Business owners.I was locked out from Amazon last week and Etsy.And some one hacked Facebook. Thank you for the info I think it will get worse