American Indigenous Tourism Association

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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 Indigenous 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]

🔥 Wildfire resilience starts long before a fire begins.Healthy forests, thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and co...
10/16/2026

🔥 Wildfire resilience starts long before a fire begins.

Healthy forests, thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and community leadership all play a role in building resilience.

At the Community Navigator Workshop in Flagstaff, we'll explore forest health and fire mitigation alongside Indigenous tourism, land stewardship, recreation, community organizing, and economic development.

The goal? To look beyond individual challenges and consider how these systems can work together to strengthen Native Nations and communities.

đź“… Nov. 5-6, 2026
📍 Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation | Flagstaff, Arizona
đź’˛ FREE

đź”— Reserve your place: https://americanindigenoustourism.org/community-navigator-program/

📖 Turn your community’s stories into something visitors can carry with them.At  , join Jackie Dorothy (Northern Arapaho ...
10/15/2026

📖 Turn your community’s stories into something visitors can carry with them.

At , join Jackie Dorothy (Northern Arapaho Tribe; descendant of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe), owner of Jackie Dorothy, for “Telling Our Stories: Creating Destination Magazines That Preserve Culture and Inspire Visitors.”

This interactive workshop will explore how to identify compelling stories, organize content, develop themes, incorporate photography and research, and create publications that reflect your community’s voice and values.

Participants will also receive a customizable magazine template and practical resources to help turn ideas into a finished publication.

Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time to join us in Tulalip. Already attending? Add this session to your AITC agenda!

28th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference
đź“… Oct. 19-22, 2026
📍 Tulalip Resort Casino | Tulalip, Washington
đź”— https://americanindigenoustourism.org/aitc/

👏 Introducing Our Nez Perce Sesquicentennial Contest Judges!From archaeology and museum leadership to Indigenous journal...
10/15/2026

👏 Introducing Our Nez Perce Sesquicentennial Contest Judges!

From archaeology and museum leadership to Indigenous journalism and visual storytelling, these five judges bring diverse perspectives and professional experience to the contest.

Meet Crystal White, Angela Iukes, Roberta “Bobbie” Conner, Lee Gavin, and Sandra Broncheu-McFarland!

Their combined expertise reflects the importance of preserving history, sharing Indigenous perspectives, and honoring the cultural heritage connected to the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.

📸 Learn more about the judges and the project:
đź”— https://americanindigenoustourism.org/nez-perce-national-historic-trail/

This is the kind of conversation that can spark an entirely new tourism partnership.Matthew Robinson of KlasRobinson Q.E...
10/15/2026

This is the kind of conversation that can spark an entirely new tourism partnership.

Matthew Robinson of KlasRobinson Q.E.D. will join us in Tulalip to explore opportunities for connecting Indian casinos with museums, cultural attractions, historic sites, outdoor experiences, and other tourism enterprises.

Real-world examples. Practical partnership ideas. New ways to think about the visitor experience.

And it’s just one of the sessions waiting for you next week!

28th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference
đź“… Oct. 19-22, 2026
📍 Tulalip Resort Casino | Tulalip, Washington
đź”— https://americanindigenoustourism.org/aitc/

🗳️ Our CEO needs your vote!We're excited to share that Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), CEO of the American Indigenous ...
10/14/2026

🗳️ Our CEO needs your vote!

We're excited to share that Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), CEO of the American Indigenous Tourism Association, is a finalist for the 2026 Travel Unity Inclusion Champion Award! 🎉

This award recognizes individuals demonstrating outstanding leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tourism industry.

Through her dedication to Indigenous tourism, Sherry has championed Indigenous voices, supported economic opportunities, and helped advance Indigenous-led tourism across Native Nations and communities.

🏆 Help us celebrate Sherry's leadership by casting your vote!

đź”— Vote here: https://www.travelunity.org/2026champion/

đź“… Voting closes Friday, Oct. 23, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Make room in your conference schedule for a story told through movement.During “The Heart Speaks,” internationally recog...
10/14/2026

Make room in your conference schedule for a story told through movement.

During “The Heart Speaks,” internationally recognized hoop dancer Eric Hernandez will bring culture, identity, film, and storytelling together in a session designed to be experienced, not simply heard.

A proud member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Hernandez has performed in more than 17 countries as the lead hoop dancer in Cirque du Soleil’s “Totem.” He is also a TEDx speaker and the writer and director of “Courage,” a short film inspired by his journey of learning hoop dance from his Uncle Terry.

Don’t miss “The Heart Speaks” at the 28th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference.

đź“… Oct. 19-22, 2026
📌 Tulalip Resort Casino | Tulalip, Washington

View conference details: www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org/AITC

⏰ Planning to apply for ORLP funding? Don’t let the deadline sneak up on you.Federally recognized Tribes can now apply d...
10/14/2026

⏰ Planning to apply for ORLP funding? Don’t let the deadline sneak up on you.

Federally recognized Tribes can now apply directly for the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, with up to $125 million available through the current competitive funding opportunity.

đź“… Applications are due Nov. 1, 2026.

Applicants can also access free technical assistance from the Trust for Public Land.

đź”— Review the resources and start preparing:
https://www.tpl.org/resource/orlp

🏞️ How can Indigenous-led interpretation connect visitors more deeply with the history, cultures, and living legacy of t...
10/14/2026

🏞️ How can Indigenous-led interpretation connect visitors more deeply with the history, cultures, and living legacy of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail?

Join Eric Villegas (Acoma/Tohono O'odham Nation), AIT Partner Program Coordinator, for “Nez Perce Travel Guide & Poster Contest.”

Explore how national trails, museums, cultural centers, pop-up exhibits, and commemorative markers can create meaningful cultural tourism experiences across the trail’s five-state corridor. Attendees will also get an introduction to the 2027 Nez Perce Trail Poster Contest and opportunities to engage visitors with the trail.

Not registered yet? There’s still time to join us in Tulalip. Already registered? Add this session to your conference plans!

28th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference
đź“… Oct. 19-22, 2026
📍 Tulalip Resort Casino | Tulalip, Washington
đź”— https://americanindigenoustourism.org/aitc/

📢 We're Hiring an Office Manager!The American Indigenous Tourism Association is seeking a detail-oriented professional t...
10/13/2026

📢 We're Hiring an Office Manager!

The American Indigenous Tourism Association is seeking a detail-oriented professional to support our administrative, financial, human resources, and organizational operations.

đź’» Remote | Full-time

💰 Salary: $58,000–$70,000 annually

đź“… Apply by Oct. 30, 2026

đź”— View the job description and application details: https://americanindigenoustourism.org/open-positions/

Tourism development doesn’t have to mean giving up community control.At this year’s conference, Lailani Upham (Amskapi P...
10/13/2026

Tourism development doesn’t have to mean giving up community control.

At this year’s conference, Lailani Upham (Amskapi Pikuni/Blackfeet) of Montana Indigenous Tourism Alliance will share how Montana’s Indigenous tourism efforts are putting relationships, community engagement, cultural identity, storytelling, and local priorities at the center of implementation.

Come to Tulalip for practical ideas, real-world examples, and conversations you can bring back to your own Native Nations and communities.

Your conference registration is your seat at the table.

28th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference
đź“… Oct. 19-22, 2026
📍 Tulalip Resort Casino | Tulalip, Washington
đź”— https://americanindigenoustourism.org/aitc/

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5366 Snyder Avenue
Carson City, NV
89701

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