The Rupert Report

From the Desk of AIANTA's CEO | April 3, 2023

Having some fun at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention!

AIANTA Highlights for the Coming Week

Seed Savers and Food Sovereignty

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 10:00 a.m. (Mountain)

In this webinar, you will hear about the value of seeds in our stories, our lives, and their contribution to food sovereignty. Our speaker, Andi Murphy (Diné) started the “Toasted Sister Podcast” show in 2017 and has since talked with dozens of Native chefs, farmers, and individuals in the food industry who are working towards Indigenous food sovereignty. Spend time with us to increase your understanding of the food culture today and how to integrate it into your agritourism offerings. Andi's podcast The “Toasted Sister Podcast” is an award-winning show that documents the Native American Food Movement. Andi can teach you how using the stories of seed saving and the production of traditional foods can impact food sovereignty and create awareness for this critical part of Indian Country life. "Seeds are a vibrant and vital foundation for food sovereignty and are the basis for sustainable, healthy agriculture. We understand that seeds are our precious collective inheritance and it is our responsibility to care for the seeds as part of our responsibility to feed and nourish ourselves and future generations." - Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance.

AITC Silent Auction Call for Donations!

Join us October 2-5, 2023 at the Excellence in Tourism Industry Awards Gala and Silent Auction to honor the best in Indian Country and raise money to help build a professional workforce. The 25th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) in Durant, Oklahoma at the Choctaw Casino Resort, concludes with a memorable evening gala for the 12th annual Excellence in Tourism Industry Awards Gala and Silent Auction. 

During the gala, guests have the opportunity to bid for Native art from around the country, as well as other items and gift certificates to a variety of amazing Native destinations. The proceeds from the silent auction raise funds for AIANTA’s Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship Program.

You can help AIANTA raise funds for our scholarship program by donating your art, or other items or by purchasing a table. Your support helps American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students pursue post-secondary degrees in hospitality, tourism management and other tourism-related fields. 

All Silent Auction donations must be received by September 30, 2023.

AIANTA CEO to Keynote 2023 Heritage and Cultural Tourism Conference

I have been invited to provide the opening keynote at this year's Heritage and Culture Tourism Conference in Sitka, Alaska. Alaska has the largest number of tribes (229) in the country. Alaska's Native communities play an essential role in cultural tourism in Alaska by providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about their customs, beliefs, and practices. We are excited to be able to work with tribes and other tourism leaders at the Heritage and Cultural Tourism Conference to promote and grow the success of cultural tourism. Looking forward to the conversations!

AIANTA at the 2023 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention

The 2023 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention is the largest gathering of tribal leaders and casino executives in the country. The Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention delivers insights and strategies for Tribal Nations to rise to the top of the competitive gaming industry landscape. It was a great opportunity to build relationships with gaming industry players. One of the highlights was the acknowledgment of a lifetime of work accomplished by John Echohawk, Executive Director, Native American Rights Fund. Mr. Echohawk was awarded the "Sovereign Warrior Award" in memory of Rick Hill/Jim Wapato.

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Opens

New Spa April 4, 2023!

The Agua Caliente Band has undergone an impressive transformation in the past few years, which has made a new spa, cultural museum, gathering plaza, and oasis trails a reality. The new Spa at Séc-he is set to open to the public on April 4, 2023, the spa is currently open only to the tribal members of the Agua Caliente Band. The spa will be located directly across the street from the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs in Palm Springs, CA.

The cultural museum, which is set to open later this year, will be another impressive addition to the Agua Caliente Band's offerings. By showcasing art and exhibits related to the history of the tribe, visitors can learn about their traditions and way of life.