Palin signs ‘Silver Hand’ bill

April 18, 2008 at 9:56AM AKST

A bill was signed last week.

Gov. Sarah Palin signed Senate Bill 97, designed to protect the livelihood of Native artisans, on April 11 before a group of students attending the Alaska Association of Student Governments Conference in Juneau.

More than 200 students from across the state were in Juneau taking part in an AASG leadership program.

SB 97, sponsored by Sen. Gary Stevens, ensures that only works made by Alaska Natives who reside in Alaska can carry the Silver Hand seal.

The Silver Hand program was created to help promote the creation, appreciation and sale of high-quality Alaska Native art. The program is administered through the Alaska State Council on the Arts. SB 97 will also limit the type of artwork allowed to exclude mass-produced items.

"Alaska Native art is admired around the world," Palin said. "This bill is about fairness and respect for our Native culture. I appreciate Sen. Stevens and the Native artisans who worked so hard on this bill."