American Indigenous Tourism Association

American Indigenous Tourism Association The American Indigenous Tourism Association serves as the national center for providing tourism & travel training and technical assistance. Driven by Community.

Our Mission:
To define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indigenous Tourism that honors traditions and values. American Indigenous Tourism Association
“Rooted in Culture. Powered by Tourism.”

For more than 27 years, the American Indigenous Tourism Association has served as the only national organization dedicated to advancing a mission to define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indigeno

us tourism that honors traditions and values across the United States and its territories. Established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system, the American Indigenous Tourism Association is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Indigenous board of directors and serves as a united voice for the $11.6 billion Indigenous hospitality sector. The American Indigenous Tourism Association's legislative advocacy led to the passage and funding of the industry-changing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation. Our Mission Statement:
To define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indigenous Tourism that honors traditions and values. Our Vision Statement:
We envision a future where Indigenous Tourism serves as a powerful catalyst for economic sovereignty, celebrates cultural authenticity, and empowers Native Nations and communities to thrive through meaningful partnerships, powerful cultural expression, and global recognition. Contact information:
[email protected]

For PR/Media Inquiries:
Liz Slobodian, APR
[email protected]

A trail can connect more than destinations. It can connect agencies, Indigenous communities, visitors, stories, and gene...
09/08/2026

A trail can connect more than destinations. It can connect agencies, Indigenous communities, visitors, stories, and generations of knowledge.

At this year's conference, American Indigenous Tourism Association staff will explore how collaboration around national trails and Route 66 can create new opportunities for cultural tourism.

Learn approaches for sharing Indigenous perspectives, developing meaningful visitor experiences, and working across organizations while keeping Indigenous voices at the center.

It’s one more reason to join us in Tulalip this October.

28th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference
📅 Oct. 19-22, 2026
📍 Tulalip Resort Casino | Tulalip, Washington
🔗 https://americanindigenoustourism.org/aitc/

09/08/2026

More than a logo. More ways to connect.

2026 conference sponsors can receive benefits including registrations, exhibit space, conference app exposure, digital advertising, social media recognition, and select speaking opportunities.

Put your organization in front of the people helping shape the future of Indigenous tourism.

📍 28th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference
📅 Oct. 19-22 | Tulalip, Washington
➡️ www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org/AITC

⏰ Don't miss TOMORROW'S webinar!There's still time to register for California’s Strategy for Sustainable Outdoor Recreat...
09/08/2026

⏰ Don't miss TOMORROW'S webinar!

There's still time to register for California’s Strategy for Sustainable Outdoor Recreation and Wildfire Resilience.

Join us for a timely conversation about bringing forest health, wildfire resilience, outdoor recreation, tourism, and community safety to the same table.

John Wentworth, president and CEO of the Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation (MLTPA), will discuss how California is putting this collaborative strategy into action, and how its approach could inform planning for Native Nations and communities across the country.

📅 Tomorrow, September 9
🕙 10-11:30 a.m. MST

Learn more and register: www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org/CNP-26WebinarSEP09

A hoop. A family teaching. A journey across more than 17 countries.Eric Hernandez’s story begins with learning hoop danc...
09/08/2026

A hoop. A family teaching. A journey across more than 17 countries.

Eric Hernandez’s story begins with learning hoop dance from his Uncle Terry, but it does not end there.

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina artist went on to become the lead hoop dancer in Cirque du Soleil’s “Totem,” speak on the TEDx stage, and write and direct “Courage,” a short film inspired by his own journey.

During “The Heart Speaks,” Hernandez will explore how tradition can carry ancestral knowledge, reclaim identity, challenge stereotypes, and connect people across cultures.

Discover the story behind the movement at the 28th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference.

📅 Oct. 19-22, 2026
📍 Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip, Washington
🔗 Register: www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org/AITC

🌲 Funding Opportunity: Community Forest ProgramThe U.S. Forest Service is now accepting FY2026 applications for the Comm...
09/07/2026

🌲 Funding Opportunity: Community Forest Program

The U.S. Forest Service is now accepting FY2026 applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, which provides funding to help eligible applicants acquire private forest land and establish community forests.

Who can apply?
✅ Federally recognized Tribes
✅ Local governments
✅ Qualified conservation nonprofit organizations

📅 Application deadline: Oct. 13, 2026
🔗 Learn more: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/363348

09/07/2026

Washington’s Native Nations and communities are shaping the future of tourism, land stewardship, and community resilience. 🌲

Join us in the Yahama Nation area, Sept. 17-18, for a free Community Navigator Workshop exploring Indigenous tourism, healthy forests, wildfire resilience, partnerships, project development, and grant readiness.

📅 Sept. 17-18, 2026
📍 Legends Casino Hotel
Owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.

Reserve your place today, or find additional workshops available in WA:
https://americanindigenoustourism.org/community-navigator-program/

📣 New Federal Outdoor Recreation Funding Opportunity for TribesFor the first time, federally recognized Tribes can apply...
09/07/2026

📣 New Federal Outdoor Recreation Funding Opportunity for Tribes

For the first time, federally recognized Tribes can apply directly for funding through the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program.

Up to $125 million is available through this competitive grant program to support projects such as new outdoor recreation spaces, land acquisition for recreation, and significant improvements to existing facilities.

📅 Application deadline: Nov. 1, 2026

The Trust for Public Land is also offering free technical assistance, including application resources, webinars, and one-on-one support for eligible applicants.

🔗 Learn more:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/orlp.htm

This expanded eligibility creates a new pathway for Native Nations and communities to pursue federal investment in locally led outdoor recreation projects.

🌲 Wildfire recovery doesn't end when the fire is out.For communities affected by wildfire, recovery also means looking a...
09/07/2026

🌲 Wildfire recovery doesn't end when the fire is out.

For communities affected by wildfire, recovery also means looking ahead: restoring healthy forests, reducing future fire risk, strengthening land stewardship, and preparing for what comes next.

At our free Community Navigator Workshop in the Spokane area, participants will explore:

🌲 Forest health and fire mitigation
🌿 Indigenous knowledge and land stewardship
🗺️ Lessons learned from real-world case studies
🤝 Strategies for building more resilient communities

Join us for conversations that are especially relevant as the Spokane region continues its recovery.

📅 Sept. 14-15, 2026
📍 Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino
🎟️ Free registration

Learn more and register:
https://americanindigenoustourism.org/community-navigator-program/

Getting media attention is one thing. Being ready for it is another.At this year's conference, freelance journalist Shay...
09/06/2026

Getting media attention is one thing. Being ready for it is another.

At this year's conference, freelance journalist Shayla Martin will share practical ways to prepare for press opportunities, from building a basic press kit and identifying the right outlets to evaluating inquiries and developing a response plan.

Come away better prepared to pursue coverage while protecting your stories, relationships, and priorities.

Register for the conference and join the conversation in Tulalip.

28th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference
📅 Oct. 19-22, 2026
📍 Tulalip Resort Casino | Tulalip, Washington
🔗 https://americanindigenoustourism.org/aitc/

What does it take to build stronger relationships with Tribal Nations?Recently, the American Indigenous Tourism Associat...
09/06/2026

What does it take to build stronger relationships with Tribal Nations?

Recently, the American Indigenous Tourism Association partnered with Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW) and the Travel Wisconsin for “Trust Before Transaction,” a training focused on building authentic, respectful relationships with Wisconsin’s 11 sovereign Tribal Nations.

The conversation centered on thoughtful questions, cultural understanding, and how organizations can put relationship-building into practice.

🔗 Learn more or request a training: www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org/training

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5366 Snyder Avenue
Carson City, NV
89701

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