Diné Fiber Arts and Weaving Sales Committee
In 2004, six Navajo weavers approached DBI for assistance in organizing their own rug auction so that they could exercise control over management and income from this endeavor, while training the weavers how use their own or locally-produced wool to earn more income from their work. Since that time, the group has successfully conducted rug auctions each year during the Sheep is Life Celebration. Criteria accept only fiber arts made with 100 per cent wool, with a premium placed on using handspun, Navajo-raised wool in natural colors or vegetal dyes. Southwest Marketing Network has provided technical assistance on forming a cooperative business. Risk Management activities include:
- assist the Committee with formalizing a culturally-relevant organizational structure, with information on options for forming a separate corporation, cooperative, collective, or business
- providing training in budgeting, bookkeeping, and financial management for the group and for the individual weavers
- developing a business plan in a way that meets their needs for Risk Management information they can apply
- providing support and training for organizing consignment inventory and marketing strategy for at least one regional or national sales show during this project period
- assisting the Committee with workshops for weavers to help them understand demands and strategies for value-added product marketing to a national audience