Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether Boot Barn may be misleading consumers about the Native American origins of certain jewelry products sold under its own brands.
Boot Barn, one of the nation’s largest Western-wear retailers, sells a variety of Southwestern-style jewelry. Among these products is the Shyanne Navajo Bead and Star Steer Head Necklace, sold under Boot Barn’s Shyanne brand. The product’s name specifically references the Navajo Nation, but it is unclear whether the jewelry is actually made by Navajo artisans or whether the name is intended only to describe its appearance.
Under the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act, businesses cannot falsely market jewelry and other arts and crafts as being made by Native Americans or members of a particular tribe. This protection is intended to safeguard consumers and Native American artisans from misleading claims about a product’s origins.
Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether Boot Barn’s use of Native American tribal names in its jewelry marketing may create a misleading impression about who made these products.
Consumers May Have Experienced:
- Believed the jewelry was made by Navajo artisans based on its product name, description, or advertising;
- Associated the Southwestern designs and tribal references with traditional Navajo craftsmanship;
- Paid a premium for jewelry they believed reflected authentic Native American artistry;
- Purchased the jewelry specifically to support Native American artists without knowing who manufactured it.
Potential Claims May Include:
- Violations of state consumer-protection and false-advertising laws;
- Breach of express warranty if product descriptions created specific representations about authenticity or origin;
- Unjust enrichment if Boot Barn benefited financially from allegedly misleading product representations;
- Potential violations of the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act if the jewelry was falsely marketed as Native American-made.
Signs You May Be Affected:
- Purchased the Shyanne Navajo Bead and Star Steer Head Necklace from Boot Barn;
- Purchased other Boot Barn jewelry specifically marketed using the term “Navajo”;
- Believed the jewelry was made by Navajo or other Native American artisans based on its product name, description, or advertising;
- Paid a higher price because you believed you were purchasing authentic Native American jewelry.
If you purchased Navajo-branded jewelry from Boot Barn, or are a Native American jewelry artist whose work competes with these products, Migliaccio & Rathod LLP would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call at (202) 470-3520.