Volume 4 | March 2019
What's New at AIANTA
Women’s History Month: Women Leaders in Cultural Tourism
AIANTA recognizes some of the leading women in Indian Country cultural tourism. These leaders, just a sampling of the many women helping drive economic development through tourism promotion, are long-time tribal and business members of AIANTA and reflect the passion and drive needed to develop, introduce, sustain and grow tribal tourism.



Registration is Now Open for the Annual American Indian Tourism Conference
Registration is now open for the 2019 American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC), which will be hosted by Cherokee Nation September 16-19, 2019 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in Catoosa, Oklahoma.

The conference, organized by AIANTA, is the only national conference in the U.S. dedicated to travel and tourism in Indian Country


How Do You Say Mother?
In March, to honor Women’s history month, we are highlighting female family members and how those words translate in Indigenous languages.






More News
Now Hiring: AIANTA is Seeking a Public Lands Partnership Program Manager
The Manager will maintain regular contact with tribal organizations and federal and state agencies to foster positive relations and advance the interests of tribal tourism in relation to public lands. // Read More

Now Hiring: AIANTA is Seeking an International Outreach Coordinator
The International Outreach Coordinator will support AIANTA’s outreach, marketing, technical assistance, training and participation at travel trade shows. // Read More

AIANTA Code of Ethics Pledge
AIANTA asks all members to sign our Code of Ethics Pledge. // Read More

AIANTA is Seeking New Members for its Board of Directors
Help be a part of building partnerships and programs and advocating for Indian Country tourism at local, regional and national levels. // Read More

Tribal Opportunities
Share Your Opinion on the Future of Tourism
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has launched its first-ever “State of the Tourism Industry” survey.

Encompassing just 15 questions, survey topics range from regional tourism performance to expectations about tourism revenue to top challenges facing Native American tourism businesses. // Read More


What's New in Indian Country
AIANTA is now updating its quarterly What's New in Indian Country press release. Please send any news items, press releases or other updates to the media team at mpoling@aianta.org.


Discover Native America
Shoshone Bannock Festival
Located on the Fort Hall Reservation in southeastern Idaho, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes host the annual Shoshone-Bannock Festival, one of the most popular cultural celebrations in the Northwest region.

Held every August, the festival features some of the top dancers and drum groups in North America and hundreds of of Native Americans compete in singing and dance competitions. // Read More


In the News
AIANTA In the News
Two Alaskans elected to U.S. Travel Association board
Camille Ferguson, executive director of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, and Explore Fairbanks President and CEO Deb Hickok have been elected to three-year terms on the U.S. Travel Association board of directors. // Travel Weekly; March 21, 2019

Wo die kleinsten Totempfähle der Welt entstehen
(Find the world’s tiniest tiny totem pole carver) // ITB Newsroom; March 7, 2019

AIANTA Executive Director Camille Ferguson to Represent Tribal Tourism on U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors
Native News Online; Feb. 27, 2019

Amerikas Ureinwohner auf der ITB 2019 treffen
Meet Native Americans at ITB 2019
Unter dem Motto „Welcome to Our Home“ kann man in diesem Jahr gemeinsam mit der American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) und sieben Partnern die Vielfalt amerikanischer Ureinwohner kennenlernen. // LifePR; Feb. 18, 2019



AIANTA Members in the News
Entering Berkeley is entering Ohlone territory
Ohlone leaders say the signs are step towards the recognition Ohlone people deserve. // East Bay Times

In Nevada, a School for Stolen Native American Kids Will Be a Museum
Today, the Stewart site is best known for the stone masonry of its buildings, most of them crafted by Native workers in the early 20th century. Thanks to funding from the state of Nevada, a soon-to-open cultural center and museum will provide further context. // Frommers.com

Tribe, 3 countries plan 400th Pilgrim anniversary in 2020
Native American leaders are teaming up with groups in the U.S., Britain and the Netherlands to ensure next year’s commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim landing showcases the harsh legacy of colonization. // Enterprise News

The Basketmaker
Ed Carriere, a master Suquamish basketmaker, carries a classic burden basket he wove from cedar roots with handles and head strap made from cedar bark and wool. // Hakai Magazine

Minnesota tribe asks: Can wild rice have its own legal rights?
Members of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe are seeking ways to codify their “spiritual connection” to wild rice. // Star-Tribune

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Commemorates Trail of Tears with Historic Three-Day Relay
To remember the 1875 Trail of Tears when their ancestors were forced to trek approximately 180 miles from San Carlos to Fort McDowell, nearly 30 Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation tribal council and community members retraced this arduous and poignant journey in a three-day relay. // Native News Online

Gaming Destinations Bet Big on Meetings
Groups gathering in gaming destinations (such as members San Manuel Casino and Tulalip Resort Casino) have more opportunities than ever. Both the number of gaming cities and the facilities within them continue to expand. // Meetings & Conventions

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Sees Great Reward Following Mvskoke Dome Investment
“It’s great to see. I am very pleased with the positive attention this has brought to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation,” Principal Chief Floyd said. “The investment has dramatically changed the use of the Dome, and we are already seeing dividends.” // Muscogee (Creek) Nation Press Release

State bill would make November Alaska Native Heritage Month
November would be permanently declared Alaska Native Heritage Month under legislation previously in the state Senate. // KTUU.com
 

Membership
New AIANTA Members
Osage Nation
The Osage Nation Visitors Center is the Nation’s first stop to welcome visitors into the Osage Reservation. The Visitors Center promotes Osage culture, Osage Nation services and Osage-owned artists & businesses. The Visitors Center provides the history of the Osage Nation from their perspective, using technology and literature to provide an enhanced experience. The Osage people refer to themselves as Wazhazhe, or “Mid-waters.” Osage is a French version of the tribe’s name. Originally, from the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys, the Nation migrated to Kansas and was later forced to move to Indian Territory or present-day Oklahoma. Visit the Osage Nation Museum (ONM) in historic Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to learn more about their story. Continuously changing exhibits convey the story of the Osage people throughout history and celebrate Osage culture today. Founded in 1938, the ONM is the oldest tribally-owned museum in the United States. Stay in one of the three Casino Hotels. There is one in Tulsa, one at Ponca City and another at Skiatook, each with a variety of dining establishments. You can also find restaurants in the casinos at Pawhuska, Bartlesville, Hominy and Sand Springs. www.osagenation-nsn.gov
Join AIANTA Now
AIANTA Membership
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.

Support AIANTA
AIANTA Membership
A gift to AIANTA helps increase the technical support available to Native American-led tourism programs while also fostering a greater awareness of Indian Country destinations, activities and events.


Save the Date
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events

American Indian Tourism Conference
Sept. 16-19, 2019
Location: Tulsa, Okla.

Cultural Heritage Certificate Program
(with the George Washington University)
Sept. 30 - Nov. 17, 2019
Location: Online program

Go International
Jan. 27-28, 2020
Location: Albuquerque, N.M.