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Part-time Membership Coordinator
Open until filled

 

AIANTA Response to Scenic Byways Call to Action

House T&I Committee Chair John Mica released his proposed 5-year surface transportation legislation at 3 PM yesterday.  Although we are pleased with several aspects of the bill, we are very disappointed to find that the National Scenic Byways Program would be completely abolished under his bill:

7 (k) NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM.-Section

8 162, and the item relating to that section in the analysis

9 for chapter 1 are repealed.

In response to the proposed legislation, AIANTA has prepared the following statement:

The National Scenic Byways Program has been a successful program for Indian Country in interpreting our cultural heritage, promoting our tribal destinations, and improving the transportation systems that facilitate commerce to our tribal communities. The program emphasizes grass roots planning and good road design and integration of transportation into corridor-wide natural resource and economic development efforts. Scenic byways (“Every byway has a Tribal Story”) have been an integral part in developing and strengthening the economies of our Tribal Nation’s located primarily in rural areas.

Abolishing the National Scenic Byway Program would be devastating to our Tribal Nations and the entire country as they are important elements of our tourism product offerings, to the visitor experience, and job creation.  Our tribally designated byways have done incredible work and made great strides to impact tourism, economic development and transportation under the National Scenic Byway Program.  The program has provided the ability for Tribal Nations to leverage federal, state, and local dollars to make a significant impact on tribal transportation, our visitor-based economy, on community livability, protection of our natural resources, and to interpret and tell tribal culture and history.

CALL FOR PHOTOS ... SHOWCASE YOUR TRIBAL DESTINATION!!!

AIANTA is asking for your help and providing an opportunity to showcase your tribe, destination, event and/or region by through photographs.

AIANTA will be attending the world’s largest travel and tradeshow, ITB in Berlin, Germany. We are looking for photographs of Indian country to use at our booth and to be included in our press kit which will be distributed to more than 100 German, Swiss and Austrian media during the Wake up @ Visit USA media breakfast.

In 2011 about 7,200 journalists attended ITB, of whom over 1,800 came from abroad. These journalist represent the industry's leading trade magazines, business and travel journalists from 94 countries and report on the latest travel trends and products in the industry.

This is an awesome opportunity to give the global market a taste of what your tribe or business has to offer to international tourists and what they can expect to experience while visiting Indian country for just a few minutes of your time!

Please submit 1-3 high resolution photos (300 dpi) including caption/description to stacieagleelk@aianta.org no later than Friday, February 3, 2012, and thank you in advance for all your assistance!

NEWS RELEASE

January 20, 2012                                           

American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) Applauds National Strategy to Boost Travel and Tourism

Albuquerque, NM – In a first for the U.S., President Barack Obama announced a national strategy on travel and tourism to boost travel in the United States. The U.S. travel industry is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, representing 1.8 trillion in economic output and supporting 14 million American jobs. According to a White House statement,  the announcement calls for a national strategy to make the United States the world's top travel and tourism destination, as part of a comprehensive effort to spur job creation.

AIANTA applauds President Obama’s initiative to increase travel and tourism to and within the United States. The travel and tourism industry plays an integral role in tribal economies. Visitor expenditures have a significant economic impact on tribal communities largely located in rural areas. Travel and tourism provides employment opportunities for tribal members, supports tribally owned businesses and enterprises, and sustains the cultural heritage and natural resources of Tribal Nations. “We are very pleased that President Obama has taken the initiative to issue a strategy to increase travel and tourism to the U.S. It supports the mission of AIANTA and will help to stimulate tribal economies and increase visitation to our tribal destinations” says Mary Ferguson, AIANTA President.

AIANTA has been diligently working to build collaboration and partnerships with key federal agencies and national tourism organizations in the past year to foster mutual tourism and recreation initiatives, advocate for tribal tourism interests, and to participate in the domestic and international market places. As a result, AIANTA:

• Responded to the National Park Service’s (NPS) germinal “Call to Action – Preparing for a Second Century of Stewardship and Engagement.”  
• Signed a formal partnership MOU with the NPS Intermountain Region.  Via the MOU, AIANTA is an active participate in the Civil War Sesquicentennial and helping to create interpretation/tourism educational opportunities for tribal youth, with NPS career path opportunities. 
• Entered into a formal Cooperative Agreement with the BIA as of 2010 to foster tribal tourism development and marketing opportunities. 
• Participated at the ITB Berlin travel trade show in the Discover America Pavilion since 2009 to showcase tribal tourism destinations and product offerings to the international consumer. 

AIANTA is a national American Indian tourism association, whose members represent tribes, tribal individuals and tourism businesses, and other industry professionals from all regions of the country.  Our mission is to help define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian and Alaska Native tourism that honors and sustains tribal traditions and values.

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release

January 19, 2012

Executive Order -- Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness

 

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to improve visa and foreign visitor processing and travel promotion in order to create jobs and spur economic growth in the United States, while continuing to protect our national security, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. The travel and tourism industry is one of our Nation's leading service sectors and sources of exports. However, the U.S. market share of spending by international travelers fell from 17 percent to 11 percent of the global market from 2000 to 2010, more than a 30 percent decrease in our share of the global market. This decrease was due primarily to increased international competition, changing patterns in global development, and, to some degree, more stringent security requirements imposed after 2001. Given the importance of the travel and tourism industry to the U.S. economy and job creation, a coordinated policy, consistent with protecting our national security, is needed to support a prosperous and secure travel and tourism industry in the United States.

Steady progress has been made since 2010, when my Administration launched the National Export Initiative and the Travel Promotion Act was signed into law. While our processes for moving people and goods across our borders are now both more secure and more efficient, new initiatives are needed to enable us to better capitalize on the economic opportunities presented by a dynamic 21st century travel and tourism industry.

Sec. 2. Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing. (a) The Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism shall, consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 1 or any successor documents and in coordination with the Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary, maintain an interagency process for coordinating the implementation of regulatory improvements and the evaluation of legislative proposals to enhance and expedite travel to and arrival in the United States by foreign nationals, consistent with national security requirements.

(b) The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the heads of such agencies as appropriate, shall develop an implementation plan, within 60 days of the date of this order, describing actions to be undertaken, including those that build upon efforts underway, to achieve the following:

(i) increase nonimmigrant visa processing capacity in China and Brazil by 40 percent over the coming year;
(ii) ensure that 80 percent of nonimmigrant visa applicants are interviewed within 3 weeks of receipt of application, recognizing that resource and security considerations and the need to ensure provision of consular services to U.S. citizens may dictate specific exceptions;

(iii) increase efforts to expand the Visa Waiver Program and travel by nationals of Visa Waiver Program participants; and

(iv) expand reciprocal recognition programs for expedited travel, such as the Global Entry program.

This plan should also identify other appropriate measures that will enhance and expedite travel to and arrival in the United States by foreign nationals, consistent with national security requirements, as well as any potential challenges in achieving the stated goals of this subsection.

(c) Within 180 days of the date of this order, and periodically thereafter, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall jointly submit through the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism a report to the President describing the progress on achieving the goals set forth in this section (as well as areas of concern or barriers to achieving those goals) to ensure the country remains secure while increasing travel and tourism to the United States.

(d) The Secretary of Commerce shall establish and maintain a publicly available website that provides updated metrics from across the Federal Government to assist industry and travelers in understanding the current status of the industry and its relevance to the economy, statistics on visa processes in key travel and tourism markets, and entry times into the United States.

Sec. 3. Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness. (a) A Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness (Task Force) is hereby established to develop the National Travel and Tourism Strategy described in this section. The Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior shall serve as Co-Chairs of the Task Force. The Task Force shall also include the heads of the following executive departments and agencies (agencies), or senior level officials designated by them:

(i) Department of State;
(ii) Department of the Treasury;
(iii) Department of Agriculture;
(iv) Department of Labor;
(v) Department of Transportation;

(vi) Department of Homeland Security;
(vii) Army Corps of Engineers;
(viii) Office of the United States Trade Representative;
(ix) Export-Import Bank; and
(x) Other agencies invited to participate by the Task Force Co-Chairs.

(b) The Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, shall coordinate the overall work of the Task Force and assist its members in performing the responsibilities described herein.

(c) The Task Force shall develop a National Travel and Tourism Strategy with recommendations for new policies and initiatives to promote domestic and international travel opportunities throughout the United States with the goal of increasing the United States market share of worldwide travel, including obtaining a greater share of long-haul travel from Brazil, China, and India. Such recommendations shall include, among other things, strategies to promote visits to the United States public lands, waters, shores, monuments, and other iconic American destinations, thereby expanding job creation in the United States. The Task Force shall also consider recommendations to promote and expand travel and tourism opportunities in rural communities. In addition, the National Travel and Tourism Strategy shall identify any barriers to increasing the United States market share of worldwide travel, and any other related areas of concern. The Task Force shall deliver the National Travel and Tourism Strategy to the President within 90 days of the date of this order.

(d) The Task Force, through the Secretary of Commerce, shall also coordinate with the Corporation for Travel Promotion (currently doing business as Brand USA, a non-profit corporation established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 to promote travel to the United States) and the Tourism Policy Council, established by the United States National Tourism Organization Act of 1996. The Secretary of Commerce shall serve as the liaison between the Task Force and the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board) chartered by the Secretary and shall consider the Board's advice in his or her role with the Task Force.

(e) The Tourism Policy Council coordinates policies concerning travel promotion and ensures consistency and cooperation among agencies, as set forth in the United States National Tourism Organization Act of 1996. The Task Force shall consult with the Tourism Policy Council where appropriate to facilitate the development of the National Travel and Tourism Strategy.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law, and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2012

We Can’t Wait: President Obama Takes Actions to Increase Travel and Tourism in the United States

This morning, President Obama will sign an Executive Order and announce new initiatives to significantly increase travel and tourism in the United States. The U.S. tourism and travel industry is a substantial component of U.S. GDP and employment, representing 2.7% of GDP and 7.5 million jobs in 2010 – with international travel to the United States supporting 1.2 million jobs alone. The travel and tourism industry projects that more than 1 million American jobs could be created over the next decade if the U.S. increased its share of the international travel market. Today’s announcement offers important steps to bolster job creation through a range of steps to better promote the United States as a tourism destination and improve secure visa processing. This is the most recent of a series of executive actions the President has announced to put Americans back to work and strengthen the U.S. economy.

“Every year, tens of millions of tourists from all over the world come and visit America. And the more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work. We need to help businesses all across the country grow and create jobs; compete and win. That’s how we’re going to rebuild an economy where hard work pays off, where responsibility is rewarded, and where anyone can make it if they try,” said President Obama.

 According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, international travel resulted in $134 billion in U.S. exports in 2010 and is the nation’s largest service export industry, with 7% of total exports and 24% of service exports. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that every additional 65 international visitors to the United States can generate enough exports to support an additional travel and tourism-related job. According to the travel industry and Bureau of Economic Analysis, international travel is particularly important as overseas or “long-haul” travelers spend on average $4,000 on each visit.

Today’s announcement calls for a national strategy to make the United States the world’s top travel and tourism destination, as part of a comprehensive effort to spur job creation. The number of travelers from emerging economies with growing middle classes – such as China, Brazil, and India – is projected to grow by 135%, 274%, and 50% respectively by 2016 when compared to 2010.  Nationals from these three countries contributed approximately $15 billion dollars and thousands of jobs to the U.S. economy in 2010.  In addition, Chinese and Brazilian tourists currently spend more than $6,000 and $5,000 respectively each, per trip, according to the Department of Commerce. The Department of State has made tremendous progress in processing non-immigrant visas from these key markets, allowing them to issue more than 7.5 million visas in the last fiscal year, a 17% increase from the previous fiscal year. In the 2011 fiscal year, consular officers adjudicated more than a million visa applications in China and more than 800,000 in Brazil, representing 34 % growth in China and 42% growth in Brazil. Improving visa processing capacity for China and Brazil is particularly important because of this growth.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

Today’s Executive Order charges several agencies to take part in efforts to increase travel and tourism in the United States:

 The Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior will be charged with:
°  Co-leading an interagency task force to develop recommendations for a National Travel & Tourism Strategy to promote domestic   and international travel opportunities throughout the United States, thereby expanding job creation. This Task Force will coordinate with the Corporation for Travel Promotion (currently doing business as BrandUSA), a non-profit corporation established by Congress through the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 to promote travel to the United States, and the Tourism Policy Council to ensure private sector participation and cross-agency coordination. 
°  A particular focus of the Task Force will be on strategies for increasing tourism and recreation jobs by promoting visits to our national treasures. The Department of the Interior manages iconic destinations in our national parks, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, monuments and other public lands that attract travelers from around the country and the globe. In 2010, more than 400 million visits were made by American and international travelers to these lands, contributing nearly $50 billion in economic activity and 400,000 jobs. Eco-tourism and outdoor recreation also have an outsize impact on rural economies, particularly in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. 

 The Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security will be charged with: 
°  Increasing non-immigrant visa processing capacity in China and Brazil by 40% in 2012. 
°  Ensuring that 80% of non-immigrant visa applicants are interviewed within three weeks of receipt of application. 
°  Increasing efforts to expand the Visa Waiver Program and travel by nationals eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program, and expanding reciprocal trusted travel programs for expedited travel (such as the Global Entry program).

The Department of Commerce will be charged with: 
°  Establishing and maintaining a publicly available website with key information and statistics from across the Federal Government to assist industry and travelers in understanding visa processes in key travel and tourism markets, and entry times into the United States.

Additional initiatives announced today include:

New Pilot Program and Rule Change for Visa Processing in China and Brazil: 
°  Today, the Departments of State and Homeland Security announced a pilot program to simplify and speed up the non-immigrant visa process for certain applicants, including the ability to waive interviews for some very low-risk applicants, such as individuals from any country renewing non-immigrant visas, or, in Brazil, younger or older first-time applicants. Link to fact sheet HERE for more information.

Final Rule to Expand and Make the Global Entry Program Permanent: 
°  Global Entry is a program within the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection that was created as a pilot in 2008 to facilitate expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Through a final rule, the Administration will expand and make the Global Entry program permanent. Due in part to innovative public-private partnerships, the Global Entry program now has more than 246,000 members, more than one million trusted travelers have Global Entry benefits, and efforts are underway to expand enrollment even further. There are currently 131 Global Entry kiosks at 20 airports and since launching, members have used Global Entry kiosks over 1.7 million times, saving CBP officers over 36,450 inspection hours—staff hours that CBP has then re-allocated to expedite regular passenger queues. This final rule will allow the program to be expanded to an additional 4 airports in Minneapolis, Charlotte, Denver and Phoenix, making the Global Entry program and expedited clearance available in airports that service approximately 97% of international travelers.

Appoint new members to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board: 
°  A new membership of 32 private sector CEOs have been appointed by Commerce Secretary Bryson to serve on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will build upon the work undertaken by the past Board addressing travel facilitation, visa policy, improving the international travel entry experience, aviation security, energy security, crisis communications and research and data, among other issues. This Board consists of corporate executives across the nation, representing all aspects of the travel and tourism industry, who are appointed to a two-year term to advise the Secretary of Commerce on policies affecting the travel and tourism industry.

Nomination of Taiwan to Visa Waiver Program: 
°  Currently, more than 60% of international tourists do not require a U.S. visa, in most cases because they travel under the Visa Waiver Program.  The Secretary of State has formally requested that the Secretary of Homeland Security consider Taiwan for the Visa Waiver Program. Over the past year, Taiwan has undertaken significant efforts to improve its law enforcement and document security standards to meet the strict requirements for Visa Waiver Program eligibility. Under the Visa Waiver Program, participating nationals can travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established to promote travel and tourism with our foreign partners, stimulate the tourism industry, and permit the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. Since November 2008, the Department of Homeland Security has added nine countries to the Visa Waiver Program, bringing the program total to 36 countries.

American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) Response to National Park Service A Call to Action – Preparing for a Second Century of Stewardship and Engagement

Albuquerque, NM:  On behalf of its membership and Indian Country tourism, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has submitted a formal response to the National Park Service’s (NPS) germinal “Call to Action – Preparing for a Second Century of Stewardship and Engagement.” 

NPS Director Jon Jarvis released “A Call to Action” last summer in prelude to the conclusion of the Service’s first century and in preparation for its second.  The National Park Service will commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2016.

“A Call to Action” commits the NPS to a new era of partnership and shared engagement.  The document outlines four themes with 36 specific action steps:

1. Connecting People to Parks
2. Advancing the NPS Education Mission.
3. Preserving America’s Special Places
4. Enhancing Professional and Organizational Excellence

AIANTA responded specifically to each of the 36 steps, with recommendations such as “Work with American Indian nations, communities and partners to ensure that tribal histories and oral histories are incorporated into the overall NPS interpretation plan and authentically interpreted to the public,” “Enter into partnerships with tribal colleges and universities to create curricula in the fields of interpretation and tourism aimed at graduating strong Native candidates for NPS and National park hospitality careers,” “Collaborate with gateway and energy tribes who are engaged in developing green energy alternatives,” and 33 additional recommendations to involve Native communities, educators, artists, concessionaires, tourism businesses and more.

“We applaud the commitment to partnership and shared engagement set forth in “A Call to Action” and appreciate this more inclusive vision for the Park Service’s second century,” said AIANTA President Mary Jane Ferguson (Eastern Band Cherokee Nation).  “AIANTA wants to be part of achieving that vision.  We hope to establish a more collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with NPS that reflects a shared respect for each other’s culture and an honoring of Mother Earth.” 

To advance this vision of shared engagement between tribal nations and NPS, AIANTA is helping to sponsor a pivotal gathering, America’s Summit on National Parks: Taking Action for a New Century, to be held January 24-16, 2012, in Washington DC.  The groundbreaking Summit, organized by AIANTA partner National Park Conservation Association, with the National Park Foundation and National Parks and Conservation Association, will “bring together leaders from conservation, philanthropy, recreation, tourism, education, health, and economic development around a common agenda for national parks and park programs and the people they serve.” The Summit will focus on the 2016 NPS centennial anniversary and the plan set forth in “A Call to Action.”  AIANTA will attend the Summit to advocate for the recommendations set forth in our “Response to A Call to Action.”

The full text of AIANTA’s “Response to A Call to Action” may be found at www.aianta.org.  For the full text of “A Call to Action,” go to www.nps.gov/calltoaction.

AIANTA is a national Native nonprofit association whose mission is to support American Indian/Alaska Native tourism that honors and sustains tribal traditions and values.  Our membership represents American Indian tribes, tribal tourism officials, businesses, individuals, and industry representatives and partners.

In addition to partnership and public lands outreach, AIANTA presents an invaluable American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) every September.  The 14th annual AITC, to be hosted by the Apsaalooke (Crow) Nation and the City of Billings, will be held September 23-26, 2012, in Billings, MT. 

Each March, AIANTA also leads a delegation of tribal tourism leaders and businesses to the world’s most prestigious annual international travel trade show, ITB Berlin.

For more information about our work, go to www.aianta.org.

For AIANTA's full response click here

AIANTA Invites Tribal Tourism Destinations to Profit from
 ITB (International Tradeshow Berlin) in 2012
Largest International Tourism Marketplace to be held March 7-11, 2012
Discover Native America Unified Booth Offers Unique Opportunity

Tourism tribes and Indian Country tourism destinations are being offered a rare opportunity to become exhibitors in the largest travel marketplace in the world at ITB, Berlin, Germany, March 7-11, 2012.  Sponsored by the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), the unified Discover Native America Trade Show booth maximizes exposure for eight Native American tourism destinations and generates the highest possible interest from international tour operators and travel agents by showcasing Native American cultures and destinations under one banner.

ITB showcases tourism products and destinations to tour organizers and potential visitors from all over Europe.  In 2011, ITB attracted more than111,000 trade professionals during the week and drew more than 169,000 travel consumers over the weekend (a total of 280,000 visitors ).  This massive attendance is a catalyst for European travel to the U.S. and Europeans, especially Germans, prefer U.S. tour packages that include eco-friendly outdoor adventures and Native American cultural experiences.

International visitors to the United States spend $120 billion per year and ITB Berlin is a driving force in the international travel industry, generating exhibitor sales of about six billion Euros or  $8,495,996,261 and an exhibitor satisfaction rate of 92%. 

“AIANTA’S participation in ITB 2011 was a huge success.  We had a 300% increase in tribal participation and hosted representatives from all over Indian Country, including the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Port Madison Enterprise & Suquamish Tribe, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Pipe Keepers, Monument Valley Tours, Tulalip Tribes and Tatanka Oyate Trail Tours & Canyon Lake Resort,” said Staci Eagle Elk, Public Affairs Specialist for AIANTA.   The dynamic displays and incredible energy they brought made the AIANTA booth one of the most popular at the convention. We expect 2012 to be even valuable to the tribes that participate.” 

The Discover Native America booth, which won an award in 2011 under the non-profit category, is located within the Discover America Pavilion.  The booth features counters, meeting areas, large panel television and a stage on which to showcase Native American cultures and demonstrations such as weaving, beading and construction of Native regalia and instruments, live dance/music performances and storytelling. This attracts international TV channels, radio stations, magazines, and newspapers.  In addition to international news agencies, more than 8,000 journalists from 90 countries attend ITB.

The Discover Native America booth has space for seven participating entities, to be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Any tribe or tribal tourism business that is an AIANTA member and has developed an itinerary, tour or tour package is welcome to participate and market group, family and individual visits.  Participation in the booth is $750 per entity.  Travel and lodging expenses are the responsibility of the participants. 

For more information on ITB Berlin or to sign up, call Staci Eagle Elk at AIANTA, (505)724-3578.

AIANTA AND NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INTERMOUNTAIN REGION SIGN HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) and the National Park Service (NPS) last week entered into a groundbreaking partnership for the Intermountain Region (IMR).  The partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was formally executed during AIANTA's American Indian Tourism Conference, held at the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Radisson Resort in Fountain Hills, Arizona, September 11-14, 2011.

Recent research on the habits of international travelers by the U.S. Department of Commerce consistently shows that most international visitors to the U.S. want to visit National Parks and meet American Indians.  Virtually every National Park site in the Intermountain Region is culturally significant to Native people. 

Upon signing the MOU, AIANTA President, Tina Osceola (Seminole Tribe of Florida), said, "In the past, tribes have seldom been able to tell their own stories about the National Parks as homelands.  Tribal members have seldom been employed to provide authentic interpretation of tribal cultures and histories, and only a few tribal tourism businesses have benefited economically from Parks visitation.  With this MOU, AIANTA and the National Park Service will be working together to change those things."

John Keck, NPS Intermountain Regional Tourism Coordinator, signing on behalf of Regional Director John Wessels, noted that the National Park Service and AIANTA share significant common ground.   "We are both committed to providing authentic interpretation.  Both are concerned about loss of sacred and cultural sites.  Both base tourism efforts on heritage, resource protection, authentic interpretation, sustainability and education.  And we both want to provide training and employment opportunities for American Indian people within the NPS system." 

AIANTA and the NPS-IMR have identified the following specific goals as the initial focus of the partnership:

a)  Inclusion of tribal stories and experiences within the NPS Civil War 150 Sesquicentennial observances, particularly about the Civil War in the West and its impact on Native homelands, and exploration of a possible research/interpretation/education facility at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in Colorado; 

b)  Availability of NPS technical assistance to tribes interested in creating tribal parks based on the NPS model;

c)  Indian youth training and hiring opportunities as interpreters, rangers and other positions within NPS, with mentorship support and career paths to advanced positions such as program managers and park superintendents, through the Youth Intern Program and other programs and hiring authorities.

d)  Realization of a proposed National Historic Landmark and interpretation/education facility at the Poston Japanese-American internment camp built during World War II and located on Colorado River Tribal land, Arizona.

Both AIANTA and the NPS Intermountain Region intend to build upon these goals and evolve the relationship to a national AIANTA - NPS partnership in time for the agency's 2016 100th anniversary and upcoming second century. 

NPS Intermountain Region is charged with management of 91 units consisting of parks, historic sites and parks, recreation areas, memorials, parkways, preserves, seashores, scenic rivers and historic trails.  Each of these units is managed under the NPS Organic Act as well as the individual park organic legislation.  The goal of each of these units' management direction is to protect resources and present the related stories to the American people and visitors to the country so that they can better understand and appreciate the broad spectrum of resources, events, and people who have created the America we know today.