The Rupert Report

From the Desk of AIANTA's CEO | May 1, 2023

Visiting Haleakala National Park During National Park Week

AIANTA Highlights for the Coming Week

Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week with NativeAmerica.travel!

NativeAmerica.travel is the best place to find cultural destinations and experiences to enhance your travel plans! NativeAmerica.travel features Native American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian tourism experiences across the United States. Featuring inspiring historical, cultural, and outdoor narratives and high-impact photographs, the site connects tribes directly to domestic and international travelers and invites visitors to explore Indian Country. Dozens of unique experiences and more than 200 Native-owned businesses are already featured on NativeAmerica.travel.

Art Installation Aims to Promote Tourism in South Dakota!

The banner will feature cut-outs and elements from Dakota jingle dresses.

(photo and edit by Erin Genia)

"A climb to the top of Nicollet Tower offers a wide view of the surrounding landscape. The spot is a tourist destination, an attribute Genia sees as a way to engage non-Native audiences in addition to the Native people on the reservation." Artist, Erin Genia has installed a banner that tower's high above the grassy plains, the banner is meant to entice visitors to the area. In addition, the banner art honors her recently departed sister, Carolyn Genia. The artwork features 8 different colored star-quilt state star designs. Genia said, “I saw this banner as an opportunity to come together in a healing way and honor my sister.” Genia's installation is a prime example of ways to bring tourists to your destinations!

Dark Sky Primer Webinar

Tuesday May 9, 2023 10:00 a.m. (Mountain)

In this webinar, Larry Burton, AIANTA BLM Partner Program Coordinator, will discuss how to start building a Dark Sky Program. You will learn the basics of night sky photography Dark sky photography is one of the fastest-growing segments in the tourism industry, come explore the possibilities with us. Native American tribes across the United States have joined hands with the IDA to protect their lands from the harmful effects of light pollution. These tribes have long been an integral part of the American continent's ecological and cultural landscapes and have a unique part to play in preserving dark skies. 

GW & AIANTA Professional Certificate in Cultural Heritage Tourism: Information Session & Indigenous Marketing Spotlight

Tuesday May 23, 2023 10:00 a.m. (Mountain)

Explore the fundamentals of tribal tourism planning with the Professional Certificate Program in Cultural Heritage Tourism offered by AIANTA in partnership with the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies. It is a self-managed online program that allows participants to learn the content and complete the requirements at their own pace each week. The program is comprised of six courses. One course is scheduled per week with one week allocated for catch up upon conclusion of the program. Each course requires 6 hours of study, including readings, tourism lectures and presentations. Participants are required to complete a written assignment at the end of each course.



Upon successful completion of the six courses, students receive a Professional Certificate in Cultural Heritage Tourism from The George Washington University School of Business. This is a non-credit, non- degree program.

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.