The Rupert Report

From the Desk of AIANTA's CEO | March 6, 2023

AIANTA and Partners at Go West 2023

AIANTA Highlights for the Coming Week

NativeAmerica.travel Request for Proposals

AIANTA is looking for a professional website designer to help us with the NativeAmerica.travel website redesign! We want our new website design to showcase our main Tribal regions and present the destinations in a way that our audience can easily find the destinations or experiences they are searching for.

The new design of our website should be:

• Aesthetically pleasing
• User friendly
• Easy to navigate
•  Streamline destinations and experiences

If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please contact Gail E. Chehak at gchehak@aianta.org.

Celebrating Indigenous Women in Tourism during Women's History Month!

Sculpture by Doug Hyde (Nez Perce, Chippewa, and Assiniboine)

Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by Presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) also takes this opportunity to recognize 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.

We have showcased a number of notable women in past years, we have linked the past posts below! Look forward to this year's list of notable Women in Native Tourism.

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, 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. 

Thank you for your continued support of AIANTA and for allowing us the opportunity to tell our scholarship story. We humbly appreciate your consideration of our request for a donation to this event. 

We appreciate any and all donations but request items donated have a minimum value of $75. 

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

AITC Call for Speakers!

AIANTA is now accepting speaker proposals for breakout sessions during the 25th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) held October 2-5, 2023 and hosted by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma at the Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant. More than 300 tourism professionals, including tribal professionals, Native American entrepreneurs, federal, regional and national experts gather at AITC to participate in education sessions, attend an array of events, network, connect with potential partners in the exhibit hall and patronize Native American artisans.

The submission application and guidelines can be found below or on the AIANTA website.

Nevada's 2023 Tribal Tourism Conference

Join us for Nevada's 2023 Tribal Tourism Conference! 

AIANTA is partnering with the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada’s Indian Territory and the Nevada Indian Commission to host the conference at the historic Stewart Indian School in Carson City, Nevada.

The Nevada Tribal Tourism Conference (NTTC) aims to facilitate conversations with the Native communities, federal agencies, nonprofit associations, and elected officials on the economic and cultural importance of a healthy hospitality industry as well as support for Tribes to tell their stories.



Among the activities for the conference, you will have a chance to tour the Museum and Cultural Center at Stewart and explore the grounds of this historic landmark. We will also be hosting a tour of the California Trail as it enters Carson City on the afternoon of March 20th. Local tribal members and historians will be on hand to discuss the impact the trail has had on Native people.

Some of the other things you can do at the conference.

• Hear from local, state, and national tourism experts.
• Connect and network with other tribes from across the state.
• Advance and develop your business, career, and tourism ventures.
• Gain an understanding of what is needed and how to participate in domestic and international markets.

Registration is now open and hotel accommodations are available!