Principles of Ethical Representation

1. Recognition of Indigenous Ownership

Indigenous communities are the rightful owners and custodians of their cultural heritage. This includes:

• Traditional textile designs, motifs, and patterns
• Weaving techniques and production methods
• Cultural symbols and their meanings
• Associated stories, songs, and oral traditions
• Traditional knowledge related to natural dyes and materials

This ownership is collective and intergenerational — it belongs to the community as a whole and is held in trust for future generations. No individual, corporation, or institution can claim ownership over traditional cultural expressions without community consent.

2. Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)

Before any use of Indigenous cultural heritage, you must obtain Free, Prior, and Informed Consent from the relevant community or communities. This means:

• Free: Consent given voluntarily, without coercion, manipulation, or undue pressure
• Prior: Consent sought sufficiently in advance of any activity, allowing adequate time for community consultation and decision-making processes
• Informed: Communities provided with full, accurate information about the proposed use, including potential impacts, benefits, and risks, in a language and format they understand

Consent must be obtained through processes that respect the community's own governance structures and decision-making protocols. Silence or lack of objection does not constitute consent.

3. Accurate Attribution and Provenance

All representations of Indigenous cultural heritage must include accurate attribution:

• Identify the specific community or communities of origin
• Name the state, region, and tribe/clan where applicable
• Acknowledge the cultural significance and context of the heritage
• Credit individual artisans and knowledge holders by name when appropriate and with their consent
• Distinguish between authentic traditional work and contemporary interpretations or adaptations

Generic references to "tribal" or "Northeast Indian" designs without specific attribution are unacceptable. Each community's distinct heritage must be recognised and named.

4. Fair and Equitable Benefit-Sharing

Communities must receive fair and equitable benefits from the use of their cultural heritage. Benefits may include:

• Monetary benefits: Royalties, licensing fees, profit-sharing arrangements, upfront payments
• Non-monetary benefits: Capacity building, training, technology transfer, employment opportunities
• Recognition benefits: Enhanced visibility, market access, documentation support
• Community development: Investment in community infrastructure, education, or cultural preservation

Benefit-sharing arrangements must be negotiated in good faith, documented in writing, and reviewed periodically to ensure continued fairness.

5. Cultural Integrity and Accuracy

Representations must maintain cultural integrity and avoid distortion:

• Do not alter, combine, or decontextualise sacred or restricted cultural elements
• Present cultural heritage accurately, without stereotyping or exoticisation
• Respect distinctions between different communities — do not conflate separate traditions
• Seek guidance on cultural protocols, restrictions, and appropriate contexts for use
• Avoid using culturally significant items in inappropriate or disrespectful contexts

Some cultural elements may be sacred, secret, or restricted to certain contexts, genders, or ceremonial occasions. These restrictions must be understood and respected.

6. No Harm Principle

Engagement with Indigenous cultural heritage must not cause harm to communities:

• Avoid actions that undermine community livelihoods or economic interests
• Do not contribute to the erosion or loss of traditional knowledge
• Prevent misrepresentation that damages community reputation or dignity
• Ensure that engagement does not create internal community conflict
• Consider long-term impacts, not just immediate effects

7. Ongoing Relationship and Accountability

Ethical engagement is not a one-time transaction but an ongoing relationship:

• Maintain communication with communities throughout and after any project
• Provide communities with copies of all materials produced using their heritage
• Report back on outcomes, impacts, and benefits delivered
• Establish clear mechanisms for communities to raise concerns or grievances
• Be willing to modify or cease activities if communities withdraw consent

The following practices constitute misuse of Indigenous cultural heritage and violate these principles:

• Appropriation without consent: Using traditional designs, motifs, or techniques without community permission
• False claims of authenticity: Marketing products as "authentic" or "traditional" when they are not made by or with community involvement
• Misattribution: Attributing cultural heritage to the wrong community, or using generic "tribal" labels
• Decontextualisation: Using sacred or ceremonial elements in inappropriate commercial or casual contexts
• Economic exploitation: Profiting from cultural heritage without fair benefit to source communities
• Distortion: Altering or combining elements in ways that misrepresent their meaning or significance
• Claiming IP rights: Registering trademarks, copyrights, or patents over traditional cultural expressions
• Stereotyping: Presenting cultural heritage in ways that reinforce harmful stereotypes