AIANTA Forms Unprecedented Partnership with NATOW, 11 Tribal Nations of Wisconsin
Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW) will underwrite AIANTA membership dues for each of the 11 tribal nations that call Wisconsin home.
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO (March 16, 2021) —The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) is celebrating a new partnership with Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW), a regional tourism association that promotes tourism and economic development for Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes.
“We extend a warm Boozhoo (welcome, Ojibwe) to all our new and renewing member tribes from the Great State of Wisconsin,” said Sherry L. Rupert, CEO of AIANTA. “We are thrilled to work with NATOW to unveil this wonderful model of a regional tourism organization creating and amplifying a united voice in the promotion of tribal tourism. We are excited to collectively and independently work with the 11 tribes that call the State of Wisconsin home.”
NATOW recently announced that the organization will underwrite annual dues for each tribe’s participation, the first initiative of its kind to form a full statewide coalition within AIANTA’s membership.
“As one of the largest industries in Indian Country, tourism plays a critical role in economic development among our member tribes,” said Suzette Brewer, executive director of NATOW. “As such, we are stronger together and believe in the power of unity in promoting the rich diversity and cultural dynamism of our communities and are excited to be a part of AIANTA’s growing network of Tribal Nations.”
All AIANTA members can participate in the association’s annual programming, from attending major international tourism tradeshows to establishing a presence on AIANTA’s consumer website, www.NativeAmerica.travel. Members may also take advantage of AIANTA’s vast network of educational and networking programs, including attending the annual American Indian Tourism Conference, celebrating its 23rd anniversary in 2021.
“Wisconsin’s Native heritage is an important part of our state’s visitor experience and we are fortunate to have such a strong tourism partner in NATOW,” said Travel Wisconsin Acting Secretary Anne Sayers. “We are excited that through NATOW’s leadership, all of Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes will have direct access to the resources of AIANTA which will enhance our collective work of sharing Wisconsin’s story.”
“Tribal tourism plays a vital role, not only in Native communities, but also the larger Wisconsin economy as a whole,” said NATOW board president Nathan Gordon, who is a member of Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “Our partnership with AIANTA represents our collective strength as Tribal Nations to build the alliances and resources necessary to accomplish our overall mission in supporting sovereignty and self-determination for our member tribes.”
NATOW’s marketing efforts include regional, national and global outreach to promote Wisconsin Tribal tourism and boost Tribal economies within the state. For more on tribal tourism in Wisconsin, please see the Native Wisconsin travel guide and the promotion of Native Wisconsin on the state’s tourism website.
About AIANTA
For nearly two decades, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the national center for providing tourism and recreational travel technical assistance, training and capacity building to American Indian nations. AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit association of Native American tribes and tribal businesses and was incorporated in 2002 to advance Indian Country tourism. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism that honors traditions and values.
For more information and images, contact:
Monica Poling
Marketing & PR Manager
AIANTA
About Native American Tourism of Wisconsin
Established in 1994, NATOW’s mission is to promote Tribal tourism and economic development while highlighting the beauty, diversity and uniqueness of the 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin. As the leading industry in Tribal economies, tourism plays a significant role in generating revenues for essential governmental services for Tribes and their members. By promoting tourism initiatives throughout the state, region and nation, our member Tribes are exercising their sovereignty to be self-sufficient and boost their economies.
Tribal reservation lands in Wisconsin occupy more than a half million acres of prime forest and marsh lands, lakes and rivers. Each tribe has its own language, art forms, traditional practices and oral histories. Diverse, yet alike in many ways, each of the reservations feature pristine lakes, rivers and streams, towering forests and ancient wild rice beds-ecosystems teeming with an abundance of wildlife. Their natural resources have been protected by the same Treaties that established the reservations.
Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
www.badriver-nsn.gov
Forest County Potawatomi
www.fcpotawatomi.com
Ho-Chunk Nation
ho-chunknation.com
Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
www.lcotribe.com
Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
www.ldftribe.com
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
www.menominee-nsn.gov
Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Sokaogan Chippewa Community)
sokaogonchippewa.com
Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
exploreoneida.com
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
www.redcliff-nsn.gov/community/tourism/index.php
St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
https://dpi.wi.gov/amind/tribalnationswi/saintcroix
Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indian
www.mohican.com/
For more information, contact:
Suzette Brewer
Executive Director, NATOW
director@natow.org