I wish to increase my knowledge of historic native american art
especially northwest coast and inuit and eskimo in order to ascertain
the market value for purposes of bidding at auctions. Are there
sources that will answer my questions by email and on an on going
basis about general questions such as " how do you identify such and
such a tribe or how do you date it> Lizzy999

With perhaps ten million Native American artists the past 412 years,
It will be the work of a life time, to classify and identify and date
even a small percentage. Typically they did not sign or add trade
marks. There are likely some fakes who claim to be experts, and only a
very few real experts. How do you tell the difference?   Neil

The Canadian Museum of Civilization is a great place to start to learn
about the indigenous peoples and cultures of the North.
http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/cmce.asp

Indigenous peoples - Canada
http://www.civilization.ca/orch/www06c_e.html

Technology and material culture
http://www.civilization.ca/orch/www06g_e.html#tech