Sisters Sawaya Greene, Stacia Morfin and Ciarra Greene of Nez Perce Tourism & CEO Sherry L. Rupert at the 2021 Excellence in Tourism Industry Awards Gala |
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O me'a"kwa
(I’m going to travel over there, Northern Paiute)
Grateful for Our AIANTA Friends
Dear AIANTA members, friends and partners–
It’s hard to believe we are once again entering the holiday season. This past year seems to have gone by in a flash. Despite the challenges we faced in 2021, I have so much to be grateful for this holiday season.
Topping my list are the many of you who attended this year’s American Indian Tourism Conference. In total, we had 281 attendees representing 29 states and two Canadian provinces. Unsurprisingly, the largest cohorts came from Arizona and New Mexico, but our third-largest delegate group came all the way from Alaska! The next largest delegations came from California, Oklahoma, Idaho, Washington, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Hawai‘i.
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AIANTA Welcomes Four New Board Members |
Brian Wadsworth, Kate Anderson, Judi gaiashkibos and Darian Morsette join the AIANTA Board of Directors, which recently underwent a redistricting of its national map to expand national inclusion.
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Board Members Kirby Metoxen, Mary Goddard, Camille Ferguson, Rachel Moreno & Board President Emerson Vallo |
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NPS & AIANTA Partner to Highlight the History & Traditions of Native Communities |
The National Park Service (NPS) and AIANTA have entered into a cooperative agreement to help facilitate regular, robust and meaningful dialogue between Tribes and the NPS. Strengthening relationships with Tribal governments is a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration and this partnership will ensure that the perspectives, voices and traditions of indigenous communities are incorporated into exhibits, outreach and cultural tourism programs in national parks.
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A Q&A About the Anza Trail Map with Margaret Pearce |
While much has been written about European expansion into Western North America, far less has been chronicled about the Native American communities that continuously inhabited California and Arizona long before the route became known as the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
The journey, which commenced October 1775, saw some 240 settlers from Mexico forge a westward/northerly route, which in the United States stretches from Nogales, Arizona to San Francisco, California.
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Join AIANTA at Go West Summit |
February 14 – 18, 2022
Reno, Nevada
Go West Summit is dedicated to presenting an event that focuses on connecting suppliers with buyers and media from around the planet. Go West Summit introduces the world’s top international tour operators to specialty suppliers offering tourism-related products or services in the American West. Go West Summit presents the ultimate business-to-business tourism convention experience with a side of adventure in February, 2022!
Buyers expect to bring a total of 1.5 million visitors into the US over the next 18 months with a total of $19.5 million US dollars negotiated during the March, 2021 event.
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The Travel Trade Manual planner was designed to help Indigenous tourism professionals understand and navigate group travel and working with all levels of travel trade suppliers.
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NEW: Cultural Heritage Tourism Planner |
Within the pages of the Cultural Heritage Tourism Planner are the stories of the many tribes, Native business owners and other hospitality professionals who are taking control of their narrative, elevating their culture bearers, reclaiming their histories and driving better economic opportunities for their citizens while doing so.
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New Research Reveals Native Tourism is a $14 Billion Industry |
Native American tourism is a $14 billion industry according to the new Economic Impact of Indigenous Tourism Report produced by AIANTA in partnership with Honolulu-based SMS Research.
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Emerson Vallo, Daniel Nāhoʻopiʻi (SMS Research), Sherry L. Rupert
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Native American Heritage Month |
The month of November is Native American Heritage Month and AIANTA has put together a list of events, webinars and Native entertainment to help celebrate Native American Heritage throughout the entire month. Please view the webpage and let us know what your community is doing to celebrate, so we can add it to our list.
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Case Studies in Tribal Agritourism |
The first guide of its kind, Case Studies in Tribal Agritourism was created to inspire Native American and indigenous farmers, ranchers and other food producers interested in expanding their agricultural operations to include visitor components.
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Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail |
In partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), AIANTA is chronicling the stories of the tribes located on or near the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
The three-year partnership will result in educational webinars, a print/online guidebook reflecting past and present-day tribal attractions at key spots along the trail, and a first-of-its kind map, that will translate key locations along the trail back in their original native locators.
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Experience Native America Along the Lewis & Clark Trail |
In partnership with the National Park Service, AIANTA is working with tribes adjacent to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail to develop cultural heritage content and itineraries. The project is bringing together businesses, attractions, landmarks and other points of interest on and around the trail to help promote sustainable tourism.
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Photo credit: La Jolla Adventures |
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AIANTA's Webinar Series presents marketing tips, funding opportunities and other tips for creating and growing successful tribal tourism enterprises. |
Upcoming Webinars
Tuesday, November 16, 2021; 10 am MST
On-Demand Webinars
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Owned and managed by the Nez Perce Tribe (Niimíipuu), Zims Hot Springs is located in spectacularly scenic Meadows Valley, only a few miles outside of New Meadows, Idaho. The springs feature outdoor pools fed by natural mineral water from an artesian well cooled by the waters of the Little Salmon River.
The springs are located in the tribe’s aboriginal territory once referred to as Chinook Meadows and hold cultural significance to the tribe. The Nez Perce people used the hot springs for ceremonial and spiritual purposes. These natural springs were also used to fashion bows from the horns of bighorn sheep, the hot water softening the horn and making it easier to work and shape. Today, the Tribe is proud to share with visitors the significant spiritual, cultural and medicinal values they hold for the site and valley.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail visitors can stop at the welcoming pole where, at a different time, tribes heading to the Columbia River or Nehalem Bay would gather for visits, celebrations and potlatches—or gift-giving feasts to celebrate friendship.
Near the old Cannon Beach Elementary School in Cannon Beach, Oregon, and the mouth of Ecola Creek, lies NeCus’ Park. This small public park was once the site of a prosperous native village, known as NeCus’ to the local tribes, prior to colonization. NeCus’ roughly translates to “where the tide flows swiftly out.”
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AIANTA in the News
New Steering Group to Guide AIANTA & Leave No Trace Education Efforts
“The impacts have been large to our communities and places and spaces where we take people,” said Sherry Rupert, President and CEO of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), during her keynote at last month’s 23rd Annual American Indian Tourism Conference.
Indigenous Tourism an Economic Powerhouse
That’s according to a first-of-its-kind study by the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association and Honolulu-based SMS Research. The study was released at the association’s annual conference held at the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort near Phoenix.
AIANTA Conference Opening Night Reception Photos
Last month, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) hosted their annual conference at the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. The reception was MC'd by Ken Duncan and featured performances by his son Talon, as well as the drum group Maswadae. Delicious food, including bison appetizers, three sisters soup, and candied apples, was served. These are some photos from the event.
Indian Country's Best in Tourism
Indian Country's Best in Tourism
Nez Perce Tourism picked up the Best Cultural Heritage Experience at the annual Excellence in Tourism Industry Awards Gala and Silent Auction, hosted by the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. The association held its annual conference this past week at the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort near Phoenix.
National Park Service, Tribes To Highlight History, Traditions Of Native Communities
The National Park Service and the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association have agreed on a cooperative agreement to help facilitate regular, robust, and meaningful dialogue between tribes and the Park Service. Strengthening relationships with tribal governments is a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris administration and this partnership aims to ensure that the perspectives, voices and traditions of indigenous communities are incorporated into exhibits, outreach and cultural tourism programs in national parks.
AIANTA & National Park Service Partner to Highlight Tribal History and Traditions
In an effort to improve tribal input and consultation with the federal government, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) and the National Park Service (NPS) and) have entered into a cooperative agreement to help facilitate regular, robust and meaningful dialogue between Tribes and the NPS.
US Park Service, Tourism Group Partner to Highlight Tribes
Sherry Rupert, the chief executive of the tourism association based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, said previous partnerships at individual park sites have boosted awareness of nearby tribes.
Economic Impact Study Reveals Native Tourism is a $14 Billion Industry
The Economic Impact of Indigenous Tourism Report, released by the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), says the Native hospitality industry supports 117,852 jobs in Indian Country.
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Tribal Tourism in the News
November 15, 2021
November 12, 2021
November 8, 2021
November 6, 2021
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November 3, 2021
November 1, 2021
October 29, 2021
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October 20, 2021
Has your Tribe or tribal tourism enterprise been featured in the news?
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Welcome New AIANTA Members
New Members:
Patti Mackey, Ketchikan Visitors Bureau (Nonprofit-Southeast Alaska)
Arlene Joe, Native Hands (Senior-Southwest)
Judy A. Jones, JJ's Native Arts (Senior-Southwest)
Renewing Members:
Bobby Begay, Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours (Native Owned-Southwest)
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Join AIANTA Now
AIANTA members are well-informed and play a key role in supporting sustainable and authentic tribal tourism that benefits not only member tribes, but all tribes. With your help, we’ll continue to make sure that the right national decision makers hear your voice—and all our voices—so our people can thrive and grow.
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Shop AIANTA at Amazon.com
AIANTA has joined the AmazonSmile charitable giving program. After you designate AIANTA as your preferred charitable organization through AmazonSmile, Amazon will contribute .5 percent of all purchases to help support AIANTA programming.
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Thank You to our 2021 AITC Sponsors |
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Platinum Sponsor
Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation
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Amber Sponsor
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
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Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
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Arizona Office of Tourism |
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Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort |
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Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino |
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NativeAmerica.Travel Facebook |
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Check out our brand new YouTube page. While you're there, please subscribe!
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Funding Opportunities
AIANTA collects funding opportunities that may be of interest to Indigenous or Native American tourism & hospitality enterprises looking to grow their tourism, culture, heritage, arts, agritourism or other culture and heritage programming.
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