Welcome

Thank you for visiting our site. Our volunteer organization asks that you think about giving our crafters a hand up, not a handout. By supporting our crafters, you can help them develop a self-sustaining crafts industry that pays them a fair price for their unique work.

Who We Are
We are Apache crafters (and volunteers who help them) from two of America’s poorest reservations. Our unemployment and poverty rates are unbelievably high, but we are a proud people and we want to restore our ancient crafting traditions by creating a self-sustaining industry. We have amazingly talented artisans, but we need help in marketing and selling our beautiful work. You can help by buying some crafts.

The San Carlos Apache Nation is home to about 10,000 people who are descended from different Apache bands relocated there from traditional homelands in Arizona and Mew Mexico.

About 12,500 Apache people live in small communities in the beautiful White Mountain Apache Nation. They weave traditional burden baskets and make beaded jewelry, buckskin pouches, and many other unique crafts.

About 90% of the world's peridot gemstones come from the San Carlos Apache Nation. Apache artisans create a variety of beautiful jewelry, including some with peridot gemstones. They also bead and weave many other unique crafts.

What We Do
Apache Fair Trade Cooperative (AFTCO) is a non-profit organization that helps San Carlos and White Mountain Apache nations' crafters (of any religious affiliation). AFTCO's efforts are important in creating better cultural, spiritual and economic conditions. AFTCO is staffed by volunteers. Its office is at the St. Charles Church in San Carlos, Arizona.

Apache Fair Trade:

• Pays fair prices to our crafters
• Helps our artisans help themselves
• Maintains Apache crafting traditions
• Educates our people in the ways of our Elders

Contact Us