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O me'a"kwa: Happy New Year!
(I’m going to travel over there, Northern Paiute)
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Happy Year of the Tiger!
Early February marked the start of a lunar new year (also called Chinese New Year), which brings us into the Year of the Tiger. Apparently, 2022 will be a year of “big changes, risk-taking and adventure.”
If you’re like me, you’ve probably had enough adventure over the past two years.
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Deadline Extended: Renew Your Membership |
Join AIANTA by February 28, 2022, and receive one of AIANTA’s proprietary Apache Dancer thumb drives.
If you are already a member, you may renew your membership for 2022 by February 28, 2022, to receive the thumb drive. If you are a new member who has joined within the past 12 months, we can prorate your renewal for the remainder of 2022.
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AIANTA is seeking energetic, well-organized self-starters to serve in the following positions.
Content & Social Media Coordinator
Deadline to apply: February 18, 2022
The Content & Social Media Coordinator is a full-time, non-exempt position appointed by the CEO of AIANTA.
Education & Visitor Outreach Specialist
Deadline to apply: February 18, 2022
The Education & Visitor Outreach Specialist is a full-time, exempt position appointed by the CEO of AIANTA.
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AIANTA to Receive $150,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Rescue Plan |
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AIANTA has been approved to receive an American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic.
AIANTA is recommended to receive $150,000 and will use this funding to provide training to Indian tribes and Native artists through regular educational sessions.
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SDSU Certificate in Cultural Tourism & Tribal Enterprises |
March 14 - May 8, 2022 (Level 2)
AIANTA's partnership with San Diego State University (SDSU) continues for Level 2 of the online Certificate in Cultural Tourism and Tribal Enterprises (“CTTE”).
You do NOT have to complete Level 1 to enroll in Level 2
The for-credit certificate, offered through SDSU Global Campus and developed by the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management program, explores strategies for marketing, financing and assessment related to cultural heritage tourism.
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GWU Professional Certificate Program in Cultural Heritage Tourism |
May 2 – June 19, 2022
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.
The online program brings together industry experts who help students explore the importance of including authentic Native American cultural experiences in their tourism planning.
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Building Irresistible Cultural Tourism Packages
April 19 – 20, 2022
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Designed to help tribal tourism businesses keep up with the rapid shifts in the packaged travel landscape, Go International features expert speakers and hands-on presentations that will guide tribal enterprises and businesses in conceptualizing and developing their tourism product(s) and promoting them to tour operators, wholesalers and domestic and international group travelers.
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AIANTA Finalizing its Guide to Tribal Attractions Along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail |
AIANTA is working in partnership with the National Park Service to identify tribes and their attractions along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. The attractions will be published in a print and online guide. We are nearing the end of gathering information for the guide and the accompanying map with traditional place names and Indigenous sites of significance.
It’s not too late to be included. If your tribe or business is along the trail, contact Gail Chehak at gchehak@aianta.org.
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AIANTA Continues Outreach to Tribes Along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail |
Plans are underway by AIANTA’s Lewis & Clark team for a spring trip to North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. The team is excited about the opportunity to reach out to tribal businesses, attractions, landmarks and other points of interest on and around the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
AIANTA is working in partnership with the National Park Service in developing cultural heritage content and itineraries for the the travel website of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, www.LewisandClark.travel, as well as AIANTA’s tribal tourism-focused website, NativeAmerica.travel.
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American Indian Tourism Conference |
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American Indian Tourism Conference
"Rising Together for the Journey Ahead"
October 24 – 27, 2022
The annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) will be held at Harrah’s Resort Southern California in partnership with The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians in Funner, California.
AITC, now celebrating its 24th anniversary, is the only national conference dedicated to growing tourism in America’s indigenous communities.
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AIANTA is already looking for exhibitors, artisans and speakers. Please email AIANTA’s Education Manager Bianca Mitchell at bmitchell@aianta.org if you are interested in participating in AITC 2022.
AIANTA is now accepting speaker proposals for breakout sessions during the 24th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) held October 24-27, 2022 and hosted by the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians at Harrah’s Resort Southern California.
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AIANTA's Webinar Series presents marketing tips, funding opportunities and other tips for creating and growing successful tribal tourism enterprises. |
Upcoming Webinars
International Market Opportunities: Understanding the UK, German and Italian Tourism Market
February 22, 2022; 10 a.m. MST
February 28 2022; 10 a.m. MST
Globalize Your Website: A Webinar for Native American Tourism Businesses
March 22, 2022: 10:00 a.m. MDT
On-Demand Webinars
Working With the International Trade
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Next Evolution Coffee Shop |
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Next Evolution Coffee Shop is a plant-based coffee shop in Schurz, Nevada, which does not carry dairy milk. While other coffee shops charge extra for plant-based milk, Next Evolution Coffee Shop only uses plant-based milks (other than half and half where they made a conscious exception.)
Many Native American people cannot digest dairy. which is a huge factor in why the shop chose to serve plant-based milks. The owner also likes to educate people that there are alternatives to dairy that may help build health.
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He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate (Black Hills Powwow & Expo) |
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Hundreds of dancers and singers and thousands of visitors participate in the Black Hills Pow Wow in mid-October. The Lakota gathering has been held annually for nearly 35 years. Honoring the history of the Lakota and the He Sapa — the Black Hills — the powwow shares Native American heritage with visitors. The Black Hills are sacred to the Sioux Nation, who consider them the beginning of life. Dancing in a powwow there is special to participants.
The Black Hills Powwow or He Sapa Wacipi is a preeminent, three-day Black Hills event complete with Native American singing, dancing, drum groups, art show, hand games, athletic competitions, and various other events. Over the decades, the Black Hills Powwow has become one of the premier American Indian cultural events in the United States attracting hundreds of dancers, singers, artisans and thousands of spectators from across North America.
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Claim Your Free Listing at NativeAmerica.travel |
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NativeAmerica.travel is AIANTA's premier destination website, connecting travelers to unique American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian destinations in the United States. Join the leading travel resource for visitors seeking authentic indigenous travel experiences!
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AIANTA Guides & Publications |
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AIANNH Hospitality Businesses Generate $14 Billion in Sales |
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AIANNH hospitality businesses contribute $14 billion in annual sales
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One in four (26%) of all AIANNH businesses are in the hospitality industry.
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There are 40,618 AIANNH hospitality businesses in the U.S.
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AIANTA is Seeking Native Tour Operators and Guides |
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AIANTA is updating its 2022 Native Tour Operators brochure, which is distributed at international and domestic tourism trade shows.
If you operate a tour or tour guide business, please email us at mpoling@aianta.org, for consideration for inclusion in this year's brochure.
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Cultural Heritage Tourism: A Planner for Indigenous Tourism Professionals
Features Native business owners, tribes and hospitality professionals who are driving better economic opportunities for their citizens through cultural tourism.
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Travel Trade Manual
Designed to help Indigenous tourism professionals understand and navigate group travel and working with all levels of travel trade suppliers.
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Case Studies in Tribal Agritourism
Created to inspire Native American and indigenous farmers, ranchers and other food producers interested in expanding their agricultural operations to include visitor components.
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Native Tourism In the News |
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AIANTA in the News
On its 150th anniversary, Yellowstone National Park celebrates its human history
“I think that, predominantly, visitors to the parks don’t quite understand that those parks were home to Indigenous peoples,” says Sherry L. Rupert, AIANTA’s chief executive.
Showcasing Cultural Heritage at Your Businesses
Hotels that embed local or cultural experiences into their programming or, at the very least, point guests to these types of activities are uniquely poised to capitalize on the growing demand among travelers who are looking to ditch the “cookie-cutter” travel experience.
Members Of N.M. Delegation Welcome $1.2 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding To Support Tribal, Creative Economies Across New Mexico
Funding will go to 11 Tribal and creative organizations in New Mexico to help support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Annual 2021 Report Released
In 2021, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail entered into a three-year agreement with the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) to find and share the stories of Native American Tribes that intersect with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
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Native Tourism in the News
Malama Hawai’i Program: Giving Back on a Trip to Paradise
7 BIPOC-Owned Suppliers Providing Rich Cultural Experiences
Features: Nez Perce Tourism
Building a cultural hub: Elizabeth Woody and the Museum at Warm Springs
Featured: Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Tiny Whittier debates an Alaska Native corporation’s proposal for a second cruise ship dock
Featured: Huna Totem Corp.
USDA Invests $25.5 Million to Support Local Businesses, Create Good-Paying Jobs and Strengthen the Economy in Rural Alabama
Featured: Chickasaw Nation
Redwood Forest in California Is Returned to Native Tribes
Featured: Tribes of Northern California
Tribally Owned Golf Course Awarded National Golf Course of the Year
Featured: Sweetgrass Golf Course; Hannahville Indian Community, Potawatomi Indian Tribe
Viewpoint: The truth hurts, but First Americans Museum, others help us reckon with the past
Cherokee Nation offers incentive for productions filmed within reservation
Responsible and Cultural Travel in Montana
Featured: Montana tribes
2021 In Review: The Year of Giving and Growing
Featured: NaHHA; Native Hawaiian Organizations
Traditions are shared at Alaska’s Native Heritage Center
Cherokee Nation debuts season 7 of “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People”
Indigenous Groups Are Finally Getting a Seat at Tourism’s Table
Featured: Native Hawaiian Organizations
The 25 Best Places to Go in 2022: From Alaska to Singapore
Featured: Alaskan Dream Cruises
Intrepid Travel triples down on tour offerings in the US
Featured: Blackfeet Outfitters
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What's New With You?
Has your Tribe or Native-owned tourism business been featured in the news?
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Welcome New AIANTA Members
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Thank You Renewing AIANTA Members
Susan Anthony, U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (Senior-Northeast)
Bethany Buckingham Follett, Wasilla Museum & Visitor Center (Individual-Alaska)
Lisa Jelliffe, Amaktoolik Studios (Individual-Southwest)
Jai Lakshman, Native Development Associates LLC (Senior-Southwest)
Meg McDonald, Meg McDonald (Senior-Southwest)
Daniel Nahoopii, SMS Tourism Intelligence (Individual-Hawaii)
Monica Poling, American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (Senior-Southwest)
Jana Prewitt, Jana Prewitt Consulting (Individual-Northeast)
Ben Rupert, Warrior's Path Native American Tours (Senior-Southwest)
Sherry Rupert, American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (Senior-Southwest)
Mary Velarde, Avachi Design Studios (Senior-Southwest)
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Join AIANTA Now
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.
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Shop AIANTA at Amazon.com
AIANTA has joined the AmazonSmile charitable giving program. After you designate AIANTA as your preferred charitable organization through AmazonSmile, Amazon will contribute .5 percent of all purchases to help support AIANTA programming.
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Thank You to our 2021 AITC Sponsors |
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Platinum Sponsor
Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation
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Amber Sponsor
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
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Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
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Arizona Office of Tourism |
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Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort |
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Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino |
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NativeAmerica.Travel Facebook |
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Check out our brand new YouTube page. While you're there, please subscribe!
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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.
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