- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
A mix of six tribal nations and Native organizations will receive a total of $1.8 million for tourism infrastructure and capacity building in grants announced today by the U.S. Forest Service and American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association.
Recipients include: the Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository in Kodiak, Alaska; Bay Mills Indian Community in Bimley, Michigan; Chief Joseph Foundation in Lapwai, Idaho; Organized Village of Kasaan in Kasaan, Alaska; Pit River Tribe KWAHN Corporation in Burney, California; and Snoqualmie Indian Tribe in Snoqualmie, Washington.
In 2018, The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA)—the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States—signed an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to collaborate on the Native American Tourism & Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act grant funding.
The Request for Grant Proposals solicited applications from Tribal Nations, Tribal Enterprises and native nonprofits that border and/or have historic ties to U.S. Forest Service-managed lands and regions, according to a press release from AIANTA.
“As the expert in Indigenous tourism and the only organization to advance cultural heritage tourism across our Native Nations and communities in the U.S., AIANTA is proud to have the capacity to create opportunity for the inclusion of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiians in the tourism industry,” said AIANTA CEO Sherry Rupert in a statement. “We are excited to see these six recipients transform and strengthen their cultural tourism programs over the next few years.”
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Cheyenne River Youth Project Hosts Holiday Party, Prepares to Deliver Gifts to 1,000+ Children
Feds Release Media Guidelines for Reporting on MMIP Cases
Native Bidaské with Robert Maxim on the Recently Released Brookings Report on Indian Boarding Schools
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
Right now, your support goes twice as far. Thanks to a generous $35,000 matching fund, every dollar you give during December 2024 will be doubled to protect sovereignty and amplify Native voices.
No paywalls. No corporate owners. Just independent, Indigenous journalism.