What's New at AIANTA
O me'a"kwa: New Beginnings
As we work our way through the second month of the second decade of this millennia, I can’t help but reflect how much Indian Country tourism has changed in the past twenty years.

At the beginning of 2000, AIANTA was just a thought, a loose idea of a much-needed association that could help Tribes identify and define their own paths to economic prosperity through tourism.

Today, I’m proud to say, the organization drives international awareness for tribal tourism while also presenting a world-class educational series and the only tourism conference of its kind in the country.


2019 in Review: A Snapshot of AIANTA's Year
We can’t help but note that 2019 was an incredibly productive year for the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. It was also a successful year for tourism throughout Indian Country.

Join us in celebrating some of the top accomplishments and memorable moments during the past year.


AIANTA Webinar Series
Save the date(s) for AIANTA's new Webinar Series, which provides intel on funding opportunities as well as needed information on obstacles/challenges facing the tourism industry.

REAL ID: Are You Travel Ready?
February 19, 2020
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Mountain

Grant Programs and Fellowships at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): Tips for Submitting a Competitive Application
March 3, 2020
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Mountain

Administration for Native Americans Project Planning and Development for Cultural Heritage Tourism
April 7, 2020
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Mountain


AIANTA is Now Hiring
AIANTA is currently looking to fill the following positions:

Independent Agritourism Consultant
Project-based, salary based upon proposal

Content Writer/Photographer
Project-specific; 16 hours/week; 12 months

Research and Data Clerk
Project-specific; 40 hours/week; 12 months
Tribal Opportunities
Save the Date: AITC 2020
We look forward to seeing you at the 22nd Annual American Indian Tourism Conference, the only national conference dedicated to travel and tourism in Indian Country.

AITC 2020, scheduled for September 14-17, 2020, will be hosted by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation at the scenic We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort.


Join AIANTA on Tribal Row at IPW Las Vegas
Extend your international marketing efforts.

Join AIANTA at our second Tribal Row at IPW Las Vegas, and connect with media and buyers from more than 70 countries around the world.

Booth fees start at just $1,500 (a fraction of what you'd pay if you join IPW on your own), but participation is extremely limited and we are nearly sold out.

AIANTA to Highlight Tribes Along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
In partnership with the National Park Service, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association will work with Tribes to develop cultural heritage content and itineraries for the websites LewisAndClark.travel and NativeAmerica.travel.

Share Your Expertise at AITC
AIANTA is accepting applications from speakers for the 2020 American Indian Tourism Conference.

If you're interested in sharing your experiences or expertise, please complete our 2020 AITC Call for Speakers form.


REAL ID is Coming--Really
On October 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will officially begin enforcing the REAL ID Act of 2005 at airports and federal buildings around the country.

At that time, all Americans will be required to present REAL ID-compliant identification to go through security.

Help ensure your family and friends are #REALIDready by joining AIANTA and the Department of Homeland Security in a free, informational webinar on Feb. 19, 2020.

Upcoming Industry Events
STS Connections--Annual Travel and Tourism Conference
February 10-12, 2020
Little Rock, Arkansas 

February 18-20, 2020
Columbia, South Carolina (Eastern)

February 23-25, 2020
Cheyenne, Wyoming (Plains)

February 29-March 3, 2020
Rome, Italy (International)

STS Congressional Summit on Travel and Tourism
June 23-25, 2020
Washington, D.C.

Discover Native America
Citizen Potawatomi Nation's Cultural Heritage Center
Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Cultural Heritage Center exists to educate tribal members, the greater Native American community and other visitors about the historical and contemporary aspects of the tribe. 

The Potawatomi, along with the Odawa and Ojibwe, were once living in the northeastern corner of the United States as one people known collectively as Nishnabe. Seven prophets came to the Nishnabe, and each spoke of a fire, foretelling specific eras the people would endure.

Before the written word, the Potawatomi passed history down through storytelling. As an ode to one of the earliest oral traditions, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center begins its 11 galleries with the Seven Fires gallery.

Digital interactive exhibits tell a complete narrative, beginning with Citizen Potawatomi oral traditions, through early ways of life, conflict and forced removals before examining more recent history, including U.S. and Oklahoma history, and ending with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation as it is today. // Read More


In the News
AIANTA in the News
Tribes Highlighted Along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
A new three-year project, being conducted by The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) and The National Park Service (NPS), aims to find and share the stories of the Native American Tribes that intersect with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. // Native News Online

A Backstage Pass to Top Entertainment Venues in Indian Country
“We are seeing more Native American Tribes derive economic benefits and marketing exposure from their amphitheaters and entertainment venues,” says Sherry L. Rupert, AIANTA’s executive director. “Across the country, Native-owned amphitheaters continue to be highly rated and top the lists for favorite venue locations.” // Native Business Magazine

Indigenous Stories
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has partnered with USA’s National Park Service to find and share the stories of Native American tribes that intersect with the 4,900-mile (7,886-kilometer) Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. // Good Tourism Blog

AIANTA To Highlight Tribes Along The Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association has partnered with the National Park Service to find and share the stories of Native American tribes that intersect with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. // National Parks Traveler

American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association to Host 2-Day "Go International" Training
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) is hosting its annual “Go International” training in Albuquerque, New Mexico on January 27-28, 2020. // Native News Online



AIANTA Members in the News
Native Americans Get a Stronger Voice in the Mayflower Story
The United States and Britain will commemorate 400 years since the Pilgrim ship made its crossing. The events are more politically charged on one side of the Atlantic than the other. // New York Times

Diné are turning their hogans into cash on Airbnb
On Airbnb alone, more than 50 sites are listed on the reservation, with surprising variety. You can stay in a room in a family home, “glamp” (upscale camping) in a canvas tent with a real bed and solar lights, experience real Navajo life in a dirt-floor hogan or a sheepherder’s trailer (and in some cases, even help herd sheep). // Navajo Times

Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe starts a traditional prairie
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Traditional Foods Project manager always has wanted a working prairieland where the tribe could grow and harvest traditional plants and native grasses to be used for cooking, medicine and art. // Peninsula Daily News

Holding Tight to a Racing Tradition
Indian Relay, a type of bareback horse racing practiced by Native American tribes in the plains states, blends heritage and danger. For one family, it’s a shared passion that means everything. // New York Times

Explore the deep roots of the Seminole Tribe’s relationship to alligators
Museum visitors will discover how alligator wrestling took hold and how it helps preserve culture and tradition today. // YourSun.com

Reservations to be Marketed as Tourist Destinations in North Dakota
Tribal lands in North Dakota are being marketed to tourists for the very first time. // KXNET.com

President Burnette: Ft. McDowell election results
Incumbents President Bernadine Burnette and Council Member Gerald Doka retained their previously held leadership roles, while Pansy Thomas joined the tribal council as its new treasurer. According to a statement from FHYN, all three elected positions underscore the 889 tribal members’ confidence in their ability to serve the best interests of the Yavapai people and propel the tribe to further growth and prosperity. // The Fountain Hills Times

City boosts tour bus subsidy, puts contract out to bid
Sitka’s privately owned cruise ship dock, Halibut Point Marine, is six miles out of town, so if passengers want to come downtown, there are shuttle buses. And for the past six years, the city has subsidized those shuttle trips using cruise passenger fee revenue. // KCAW.org

Red Cliff Tribal Farm wins $80K in grants
The Red Cliff Mino Bimaadiziiwin Tribal Farm recently received grants totaling $80,000 to support the farm’s free- and reduced-price community supported agriculture program and enhance food sovereignty efforts. // Ashland Daily Press

Grand Canyon Skywalk Celebrates 10 Millionth Visitor All-Time
Grand Canyon Skywalk, the U-shaped glass bridge known worldwide for its singular architecture and unparalleled views of the Grand Canyon, today celebrated its 10 millionth visitor since the tourism experience first opened in March 2007. // WICZ News




Has your Tribe or tribal tourism enterprise been featured in the news?  Please let us know .

Membership
New AIANTA Members
First Americans Museum
The First Americans Museum (formerly known as the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum) will serve as a dynamic center promoting awareness and educating the broader public about the unique cultures, diversity, history, contributions and resilience of the First American Nations in Oklahoma today. FAM will showcase state-of-the-art exhibitions, live public and educational programs, a FAMily Discovery Center with immersive family-friendly activities, a full-service restaurant presenting unique Native inspired cuisine, the FAM Café and Coffee Shop, and the FAM Store featuring authentic one-of-a-kind hand-made items or products by premiere First American artists. For more information please visit www.FAMok.org .
Eastern Shoshone Tribe
The Eastern Shoshone Tribe lived in the Wind River mountain range and its environs for some 12,000 years. Today, they live on the Wind River Indian Reservation with the Northern Arapaho Tribe in central Wyoming. The Eastern Shoshone are known for their Plains horse culture. They acquired the horse in 1700 and it completely changed their lifestyles. They became proficient hunters thus they became fierce warriors. Today, the Shoshone Tribe has successfully reintroduced a thriving buffalo herd to their lands. Buffalo bones, skulls and even the relict wallows that buffalo created can still be found around areas of the reservation. Buffalo remain spiritually and culturally important to the Eastern Shoshone as each part of the animal can be used in some way. The Shoshone Tribal Buffalo Representative Jason Baldes provides educational presentations to schools, students, community members and tourists that are interested. The Eastern Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center is located inside the tribal school library in Fort Washakie where visitors can learn about Shoshone culture and history, including Chief Washakie and Sacajawea. You can stay at the Shoshone Rose Casino & Hotel in Lander. Dining options include the Deka-Guy Hee restaurant and Snack Bar. Wyoming’s largest powwow and traditional celebration, the Eastern Shoshone Indian Days and Pow Wow, is held in June at the Fort Washakie powwow grounds every year. www.easternshoshone.org
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. 14-17, 2020
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Host: We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort/Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation

Cultural Heritage Certificate Program
Dates: October 5-November 22, 2020
Location: Online


Image credits:

Frog Bay Tribal National Park (c) Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Indians // Indian Summer Fest (c) Indian Summer Fest; We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort (c) Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation; Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail; Airplane Wing (c) Pixabay; Citizen Potawatomi Nation.