Ethical Engagement Self-Assessment

We have identified the specific Indigenous community or communities whose cultural heritage we are using or wish to use, including their name, location, and cultural context.

We understand the cultural significance, history, and meaning of the cultural elements we wish to use, including any restrictions or protocols around their use.

We recognise that Indigenous communities are the rightful owners and custodians of their cultural heritage, and that this ownership is collective and intergenerational.

We understand that different Indigenous communities have distinct cultural heritages and do not conflate or generalise across communities.

We contacted the relevant community before beginning any work with their cultural heritage, not after.

We engaged with authorised community representatives, not just individual artisans or sellers, respecting the community's governance structures.

We provided the community with complete information about our intended use, including commercial purposes, scale, duration, and potential impacts.

We allowed the community adequate time to consider our proposal and make decisions according to their own processes, without imposing artificial deadlines.

The community's consent was given freely, without pressure, coercion, or inducements that could compromise their free choice.

We have documented consent in writing, with clear terms, signed by authorised community representatives.

We understand that consent is limited to the specific purposes agreed, and we do not extend it to other uses without additional consultation.

We attribute cultural heritage to the specific community of origin (e.g., "Angami Naga" not just "tribal" or "Northeast Indian").

Attribution is prominently displayed on products, in marketing materials, exhibitions, and publications — not hidden in fine print.

All information provided about the cultural heritage — its meaning, history, and significance — has been verified with the community.

Where individual artisans have contributed, they are credited by name (with their consent) and their skill is acknowledged.

We clearly distinguish between authentic traditional work and contemporary interpretations or adaptations inspired by traditional heritage.

We have established fair financial benefit-sharing arrangements (royalties, licensing fees, profit-sharing, or other compensation) with the community.

We provide non-monetary benefits such as capacity building, training, market access, or documentation support.

If purchasing directly from artisans, we pay fair prices that reflect the true value of their skill, time, and cultural knowledge.

Benefits flow to the community as a whole, not just to a few individuals, supporting community development or cultural preservation.

The benefits to the community are proportionate to the value we derive from using their cultural heritage.

Our use of cultural heritage is respectful and does not trivialise, mock, or diminish its significance.

We do not use sacred, ceremonial, or restricted cultural elements in inappropriate commercial or casual contexts.

We do not alter, combine, or decontextualise cultural elements in ways that misrepresent their meaning or origin.

Our representation avoids stereotypes, exoticisation, or framing that reinforces harmful narratives about Indigenous peoples.

We have invited the community to review and approve how their heritage is represented before public release.

We maintain ongoing communication with the community, providing updates on how their heritage is being used.

We share copies of products, publications, or other outputs with the community.

We have established a clear mechanism for communities to raise concerns, complaints, or grievances about our use of their heritage.

We respect the community's right to modify or withdraw consent, and have processes to respond appropriately if this occurs.

We conduct periodic reviews of our engagement to ensure continued alignment with ethical standards and community expectations.