Desert View Interpretive Project Sparks Inspiration

AIANTA, Blackfeet Nation and State of Montana recently came together in historic tribal tourism meetings at Grand Canyon National Park.

AIANTA Public Lands Partnerships Program Manager Aimee Awonohopay has just returned from the Grand Canyon National Park, where she was hosting the Blackfeet Tribe and State of Montana government. Here, AIANTA showcased the great collaboration and first voice interpretation project at the Desert View Watchtower and Visitor Area. The group drew inspiration from the visit and was able to learn more about how the partnership came to be, and how the project has progressed.

Throughout the week, the group also met with the Hopi Tribe and learned about their tremendous success harnessing visitors to the Grand Circle and the resulting economic development that has decreased the tribe’s unemployment rate, which at one point was at 50%.

See the below images for more information about the productive week sharing and discussing the many opportunities presented by tribal tourism!

Blackfeet Nation and State of Montana dignitaries meet with Grand Canyon National Park Desert View project managers

Montana Indian Country Programs staff tour the historic Desert View Watchtower and learn about restoration and artist programming made possible through AIANTA securing a $500,000 ArtPlace America grant for Desert View and the interpretive project.

The full group learning about the tribal impact of Desert View with members of the Inter-tribal Advisory Council. The council is comprised of the 11 Grand Canyon tribes.

The full group, meeting with AIANTA Board Secretary and At-Large Representative James Surveyor, who is also a leader of the Moenkopi Development Corporation. MDC has benefited all Hopi villages through their economic development efforts .

A Warm Thank You to Our Partners