The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV have formed an innovative partnership to help leverage federal resources and business opportunities for AIANTA-supported communities.
The organizations are developing a first-of-its-kind combined training program that explores the connectivity, unique opportunities, and challenges of cultural tourism development and land use planning. Participants will also receive assistance applying for and ensuring compliance with U.S. Forest Service Grants and Agreements.
The programming supports AIANTA’s role within a network of national and regional nonprofit groups that provide Community Navigator Services. These services connect communities with resources, programs, and support networks they might not otherwise be aware of.
"We are so excited to partner with UNLV to bring this unique training opportunity to Native Nations and communities as part of our work in support of the U.S. Forest Service Community Navigator Program," said Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), CEO of AIANTA.
UNLV’s top-ranked Harrah College of Hospitality is uniquely positioned to deliver this training because it is home to both the Sands Center for Professional Development and UNLV Tribal Education Initiative (TEI), which are known for collaborating on customized executive education programs for Tribal organizations. Under this partnership, the college’s Sands Center for Professional Development will provide a series of educational modules to AIANTA staff members, who will then share this training with community members in the field.
"Together, UNLV and AIANTA are equipping Tribal nations with tools to grow tourism economies while safeguarding lands through Indigenous stewardship," said TEI Director Tammi Tiger.
With the support of TEI, the Sands Center is developing 12 hours of training content, presented in four modules, designed to build the capacity to support healthy forests and strengthen communities. The modules include:
- Module 1: Cultural Tourism Systems
- Module 2: Exploring Connectivity Between Tourism and Land Use
- Module 3: Tips for Submitting U.S. Department of Forestry Applications
- Module 4: Tips for Understanding Compliance for U.S. Forestry Service Grants and Agreements
The pilot for the innovative partnership-based training will be launched at the 27th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference on Oct. 28 at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw, Mississippi.
About AIANTA
For nearly 27 years, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States.
Established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system, AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Native board of directors and serves as a united voice for the $11.6 billion Native hospitality sector. AIANTA’s successful legislative work led to the industry-changing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation.
AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow, and sustain Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values. Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.aianta.org and visitors interested in learning more about Indigenous culture can visit www.nativeamerica.travel.
