The Rupert Report

From the Desk of AIANTA's CEO |November 1, 2022

Congratulations to all of AIANTA's Excellence in Tourism

Industry Awards Winners!

AIANTA Highlights for the Coming Week

November is National American Indian Heritage Month

Photo Credit: nationaltoday.com/american-heritage-month/

November is National Native American Heritage Month. The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) encourage travelers to celebrate American Indian culture throughout the country by visiting Native American cultural centers, historic sites, and National Parks with special connections to the Native Heritage in their respective locations. Be sure to check out our website for upcoming events in your region.

Through collaborations between tribes and public lands, tourism can help Indian Country link its historical interpretations to landscape, showcasing that authentic tribal stories and perspectives are intertwined in the fabric of American history.

We strongly encourage travelers to #DiscoverNativeAmerica by planning their visits through our NativeAmerica.Travel site today.

Discover Native America

AIANTA Announces New Board Members

Nikki Graham

Alaska Region

Malia Sanders

Hawai'i Region

Two new Board Members were announced during AIANTA's 24th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference. Elected to represent the Alaska Region is Nikki Graham (Yup’ik/Blackfoot Indian/Dutch) who serves as the Director of Operations for the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Originally from Homer, Alaska, Graham is a lifelong Alaskan, a Cook Inlet Region Incorporated (CIRI) shareholder, and is enrolled in the Ninilchik Village Tribe.

Elected to represent the Hawaii Region is Malia Sanders who serves as the Executive Director of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association. Her work has impacted Hawai‘i’s visitor industry by utilizing Hawaiian cultural values as the foundation for professional development and business leadership. Through consultation, training and networking, her organization supports those who provide authentic experiences to Hawaiʻi’s visitors.

AIANTA's Returning Board Members

Darian Morsette

Rocky Mountain Region

Kirby Metoxen

Midwest Region

Lora Ann Chaisson

Southeast Region

Returning to serve AIANTA's Board of Directors are

Darian Morsette (enrolled member of the Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Tribes), Rocky Mountain Region
Kirby Metoxen (Oneida Nation), Midwest Region
Lora Ann Chaisson (citizen of the United Houma Nation), Southeast Region.

View the Full Board of Directors and Their Regions:

AIANTA Board Members

AITC 2022 Recap

Thank you to the nearly 300 members, vendors, exhibitors, speakers, and dignitaries who joined us last week for the 24th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference. We had members from all 15 regions, held regional meetings to improve AIANTA's delivery of services, and heard feedback from many members about how AIANTA has helped their business grow! Last, but certainly not least, we raised thousands of dollars to support scholarships for Native youth who are pursuing a career in Hospitality & Tourism related industries!

Be sure to follow AIANTA on social media to see more

highlights from #AITC2022

AIANTA Membership

Thank you to everyone who renewed their AIANTA Membership at #AITC2022!

We are delighted to have also gained NEW members during our conference. Stay tuned for features on our renewed and newest members.

If you haven't renewed yet, please do so before the end of the year to receive our latest Bird Singer Flash Drive!

Learn More!

See you at #AITC2023

Hosted by Choctaw Nation

Join us next year for the very special, 25th Anniversary of the Annual American Indian Tourism Conference. Stay tuned for early registration updates. You don't want to miss this celebratory event!

Boneedwa

(See you later, Northern Paiute)

Sherry L. Rupert, Chief Executive Officer

American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association

THANK YOU to our 2022 AITC Sponsors

Amber Sponsors

Choctaw Country Harrah's Resort SoCal Rincon Tribe

Silver Sponsors

Arizona Office of Tourism Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Solutions Groups

Bronze Sponsors

106 Group Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians America 250

Chickasaw Country Coeur D'Alene Casino Resort Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino & Resort

Paragon Casino Resort Visit Cherokee Nation

Get Connected

AIANTA

NativeAmerica.travel

Funding Opportunities

AIANTA collects funding opportunities that may be of interest to Indigenous or Native American tourism & hospitality enterprises looking to grow their tourism, culture, heritage, arts, agritourism or other culture and heritage programming.

Visit our Newsletter Page to sign up to receive AIANTA news and updates.

Meet Our Team

Meet the AIANTA team at www.aianta.org/about-aianta/our-team.

Need Help?

Email info@aianta.org to receive more information.