MONTANA TRIBAL TOURISM ALLIANCE

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MONTANA TRIBAL TOURISM ALLIANCE

• 5 YEAR PLAN OVERVIEW

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Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance
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MTTA Board of Directors

• R.J. Young, President
  
• Ft. Peck Assiniboine Sioux Tribes
• Latonna Old Elk, Vice-President
• Crow Nation Representative
• Yvonneda Thompson, Secretary/ Treasurer Northern
  Cheyenne Tribe
• Jason Belcourt
• Rocky Boys Chippewa-Cree Tribes
• George Heavy Runner
• Blackfeet Tribe Representative

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MTTA Board of Directors

• Caroline Yellow Robe
• Ft. Belknap Indian Community Council
  Representative
• Mary Jane Charlo
• Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes
  Representative
• Northern Cheyenne Representative Vacant
• Michael Sweeney Member At Large
• Richard Hopkins Member At Large

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MTTA Professional Staff

• Dyani Bingham
• MTTA Coordinator
• P.O. Box 1224
  Billings, MT 59103
• 406-208-2389
• Email dyani_b_at_hotmail.com
• Website www.bigskytribes.com

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Our Mission

• To promote culturally appropriate economic
  development through tourism

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Whats New in 2006?

• 5 Year Plan Developed
• Submission of ANA SEDS Grant
• Plains Indian Encampment Art Market

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MTTA 5 YEAR PLAN

• In five years, MTTA will have achieved.

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GROWTH

• ? Excellent, sustained working relationship
  with Tribes, State, Region
• ? Continued relationship with Travel MT
• ? Strong MTTA Membership
• ? Financial Stability through diversified
• ? Organizational growth to include more staff,
  new Board Members new Membership

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GROWTH IN TRIBAL TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE
? Tourism Departments on all Reservations ? Stron
g community support for MTTA ? Tourism Education
on each Rez via the Tribal Colleges in MT in
partnership with MTTA Travel MT ? Partnerships
with Tribal Colleges for Tourism
Training ? Training for Tribal Individuals in
Tourism Skills  
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CONTINUALLY ENHANCED TRIBAL TOURISM PRODUCT

• ? Expanded Cottage Industry to increase Tribal
  Tourism Employment
• ? Improvement of recreational resources on each
  reservation
• ? Native American Packaged Tours (Variety of
  Adventures)
• ? Establish Scenic Byways, Interpretive Signage
  Rest Areas on the Reservations
• ? Native American Speakers Bureau
• ? Assemble Tribal Encampment
  
  

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ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS
? Development of Promotional DVD for MT Seven
Reservations ? Indian Country Travel Planner
Listing of Available Packaged Tours ?
Professional, quality marketing for Indian
Business Events in MT  
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In five years, MTTA will have addressed our
challenges
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NEGLECTED/OUTDATED ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
? Neglected Board Commitment ? Neglected MTTA
Membership Drive ? Infrequent communication
between MTTA Board Members ? Reactive rather
than proactive ? Limited Resources people,
dollars, office space ? Limited Staff to
Fundraise ? Stagnant Organizational Structure
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LIMITED INVOLVEMENT BY TRIBAL LEADERS

• ? Lack of communication to ensure Tribal Support
• ? Inconsistent Tribal Involvement
• ? Tourism Industry has limited awareness of MTTA
• ? Missing Tribal Reps on Alliance

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FRAGMENTED TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE REZ

• ? Few Hotels
• ? Few Restaurants
• ? Few Public Restrooms
• ? Undeveloped Campgrounds
• ? Fragmented and Undeveloped Recreational Parks
• ? Underdeveloped tourism product
• ? Divide between tourism product on reservations
  and what Market wants

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MISCONCEPTIONS OF MT RESERVATIONS TODAY

• ? Preconceived conceptions/misconceptions of
  Reservation Life
• ? Reservations communities perceived as not
  viable tourism destinations
• ? Limited knowledge of Indian people by
  non-Indian people
• ? Assess Markets perception of Montana Tribes
•  

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In five years, these practical actions will have
moved us forward.
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UPDATED ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

• ? Establish Working Committees
• ? Identify Roles and Responsibilities for Board
  Membership
• ? Addition Tribal Individuals in private sector
  to MTTA Board (1 from each Rez)
• ? Development of MTTA Business Plan
• ? Re-assess Update By-Laws of MTTA
• ? Update Job Descriptions
•  

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DEVELOP TOURISM STRUCTURES ON MONTANA
RESERVATIONS

• ? Update MTTA website to promote MT Indian owned
  Tourism Products Encampments
• ? Visitors Etiquette Brochure
• ? Research tourism and recreation gaps for each
  reservation in Montana
• ? Complete assessment for tourism products
  available on each reservation
• ? Reservation communities to define tourism from
  their own communitys perspective

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? Develop MT Tribal Tourism Toolkit for Tribal
Governments on scenic byway development,
recreational improvement opportunities, rest area
development and bricks and mortar
opportunities.? Network with other Tribes
nationally for tribal tourism education? Update
Tribal Councils on MTTA accomplishments and ask
for Input to MTTA Strategic Plan
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Annual tribal tourism workshops on each
reservation via the Tribal Colleges.? Establishme
nt of Tourism Communications Network to alert on
Tourism opportunities. ? Work with MT/WY Tribal
Leaders Council to host a Tribal Leaders Forum on
Tribal Tourism Development.
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COMPREHENSIVE MARKETING PLAN

• ?  Market Research
• ?  Development of MTTA Marketing Plan.
• ?  Networking Opportunities
• ?  Research Opportunities for Indian Business
  Event Promotion
•  

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Best Case Scenario

• Tourism for economic development while still
  affirming community values and cultural
  integrity.

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Tourism Niches

• History
• Ethno-botany
• Experienced Wranglers
• Beautiful Scenery
• Warm, family experience
• Horses

On the trail with Cheyenne Trailriders in
Ashland, MT
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Nature or Eco-Tourism

• Emphasizes the Natural World
• Flora, Fauna Ethno-botany
• Leaves an undetectable, small footprint on the
  natural world

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Natural Attractions

• Rivers, Lakes, Mountains,
• Forests, Caves, Canyons,
• Rocks, Fossils, Badlands

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Eco-Tourism Activities

• Hiking
• Walking Tours
• Horseback Riding
• Bird Watching
• Rafting
• Fishing
• Stargazing
• Photography
• Wildlife Viewing
• Archeology

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Know the natural attractions in your Community

• Most natural wonders need protection, not
  promotion
• Find and develop areas for activity
• Divert attention and interest in areas you want
  to preserve and protect

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Cultural Tourism

• Fine Arts Museums

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Cultural Tourism Attractions

• Arts Crafts Shows
• Museums
• Interpretive Centers
• Restaurants
• Wellness Resorts or Spas
• Art Gallery
• Gift Shop

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Heritage Tourism

• Focuses on the story of people and places told
  through interpretation of cultural landscapes
• Preservation or restoration of historic
  structures
•  

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Heritage Tourism Attractions

• Historic Sites ie. Battlefields, Pictograph
  Caves
• Interpretive Center
• Arts Crafts Shows
• Traditional Games

• Pow wows
• Archeological Sites
• Tipi Encampments
• Music Festivals
• Campfire Stories
• Guided Tours
• Oral History

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Cultural Heritage Tourism

• Eco-Tourism
• Cultural Tourism
• Heritage Tourism

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Cultural Heritage Tourism

• Is planned and implemented with community
  involvement and support
• Is respectful of family stories
• Doesnt trivialize
• Doesnt commercialize

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Recreation Adventure Tourism

• Very common
• Activity driven
• Strenuous, often perilous activity
• Less environmentally sound
• Landscape is impacted

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Recreational Activities

• Mountain Climbing
• Backpacking
• Hunting
• Snowmobile Activity
• Mountain Biking
• Rock Climbing

• Skiing
• Boating
• Camping
• Hiking
• Repelling
• Wildlife viewing
• Snowboarding

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Framework for Tourism Development

• Work against any exploitation of people, land and
  culture
• Balance entertainment with education
• Urge community members to tell their own story in
  their own way
• Build tourism programs that benefit the people in
  the tribe both financially and socially

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Attributes for Success

• Open, friendly personality
• Support of friends and family
• Detailed Business Marketing Plan
• Guidelines for Tourists
• Punctuality
• Strong Networking Skills

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Obstacles

• Money Infrastructure
• Land Use Issues
• Racism
• Education
• Seasonal
• Need more trained Personnel
• Politics

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Assets

• Strong American Indian Cultures
• Interest in American Indian Way of Life
• Beautiful Natural Resources
• Lots of Talent Enthusiasm
• Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance
• Partnerships with Travel MT, LC Bicentennial
  Commission, etc

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Important Issues

• How to fund tourism development?
• Training Educating for Tourism Jobs
• Visitors Etiquette
• Positive Promotion of Indian Businesses Events
• How much to charge tourists?

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Tourism Can

• Bring much needed dollars and jobs directly to
  our communities
• Open the doors to funding that can establish
  cultural/community centers and interpretive
  sights
• Help preservation efforts for land, language and
  culture
• Foster a new generation of small, successful
  businesses on the reservations

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Ft. Peck Reservation

• Home to the Assiniboine Sioux Tribes
• Established in 1871
• More than 2 million acres
• Southern Border is Missouri River
• Northern Border is 50 miles south of Canada
• Open Prairies Farms

SOURCE http//www.fortpecktribes.org/history.htm
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Ft. Peck Attractions

• Ft. Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Culture Center
  Museum in Poplar, MT.
• Features permanent exhibits of Assibiboine
  Sioux heritage, arts crafts.
• Fort Peck Community College, Poplar, MT
• Upper Missouri River Institute Gift Shop
• Sponsors Seven Powwows Annually
• Excellent Dancers, Rodeos, Art Crafts, Sports

SOURCE http//www.fortpecktribes.org/history.htm
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Ft. Peck Assiniboine Sioux Tribal Flag

• Designed by Roscoe White Eagle
• Two Chiefs Holding Sacred Buffalo Robe Between
  the Two Tribes living together in Harmony

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Ft. Peck Tourism Contact Info

• P.O. Box 1077
• Poplar, MT 59255
• 406-768-7254
• www.fortpecktribes.org

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Ft. Belknap Reservation

• Home of the Gros Ventre (Aaninin or People of
  the White Clay) Assiniboine (Nakoda or
  Generous Ones) Tribes
• Landbase of 650,00 acres of Plains and Grasslands
  in NC Montana

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Ft. Belknap Attractions

• Ft. Belknap Tourism Offers Buffalo Tours
  Reservation Tours
• Wildlife
• Scenic Mission Canyon, South of Hays
• Hunting Fishing

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Ft. Belknap Flag

• Traditional shield protects both Tribes
• Circular shape of shield represents cycle of Life
• The Buffalo Skull symbolizes the 2 Tribes,
  different colors, but functioning as a whole
• White Jagged Line on Buffalo Skull represents the
  Milk River
• Two arrowheads signify strong traditional ties
  with the past
• 7 Feathers hang from the shield. There is a
  feather for every two of the twelve council
  members with the center feather for the Tribal
  Chairman

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Ft. Belknap Tourism Contact

• R.R.1, Box 66
• Harlem, MT 59526
• 406-353-8473
• Website www.fortbelknapnations-
  nsn.gov

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Chippewa-Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Reservation

• Located in north-central Montana near the Bear
  Paw Mountains.
• Home to the Cree descendents from Canada and from
  Chippewa that had moved east from the Turtle
  Mountains in North Dakota.

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Rocky Boy Attractions

• Bear Paw Ski Bowl
• Rocky Boy Tourism Developing Tour Packages
• Hunting
• Guided Tours

Bear Paw Ski Bowl
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Rocky Boy Flag

• Tribal Seal
• Suns Rays represent the 15 Sacred Grass Dance
  Chiefs active in preserving the culture of the
  Chippewa Cree
• Writing under the Sun represents good health and
  fortune for the Tribe

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Rocky Boy Tourism Contact

• R.R. 1, Box 542
• Box Elder, MT 59521
• 406-395-4207

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Blackfeet Tribe

• Three Bands of Blackfeet Nation the Blackfeet in
  Montana the Bloods and Blackfoot in Alberta, CA
• Reservation Landbase of 1.5 million acres
  bordered by Canada Glacier National Park

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Blackfeet Attractions

• Home of Museum of the Plains Indian
• Beautiful Scenery Wildlife
• North American Indian Days Celebration
• www.blackfeetnation.com

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Blackfeet Flag

• Coup stick with 29 Eagle Feathers
• Blackfeet reservation outlined in middle of
  circle of 32 Eagle Feathers
• PIKUNI -

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Blackfeet Tourism Contact

• P.O. Box 2809
• Browning, MT 59417
• 406-338-7181
• www.siyehdevelopment.com

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Flathead Reservation

• The Flathead Confederacy was formed in 1855 among
  the PendOreille, Kalispells, Kootenais and the
  Salish.

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Flathead Attractions

• The Sqelixy/Aqsmaknik (Peoples) Center
• Native Ed-Ventures
• Flathead Lake
• Traditional Encampments
• Powwows

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Flag of the Salish, Kootenai Pend Oreille

• Power of the Sun
• Blue Water from the Mountains
• Mountains Signify Earth
• Tipi Represents Home
• Seven Eagle Feathers
• Bow Arrow represent Protection of Homeland

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Flathead Tourism Contact

• The Peoples Center
• P.O. Box 278
• Pablo, MT 59855
• 1-800-883-5344
• www.peoplescenter.org
• www.cskt.org

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Crow Tribe

• Apsaalooke translates as children of the large
  beaked bird
• 85 Tribal Members speak Crow as first language
• Located in SC Montana
• Buffalo Herd

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Crow Attractions

• Little Big Horn College Apsaalooke Tours
• Bighorn Canyon
• Yellowtail Dam
• Little Bighorn Battlefield
• Chief Plenty Coup State Park

Beautiful BigHorn Canyon Natl Recreation
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Crow Flag

• White tepee is a symbol of Life with 4 poles as
  base
• Pipe is sacred gift
• Sacred Tobacco Plant
• Three Mountain Ranges on Crow Reservation
• Two War Bonnets represent the Warrior Society of
  the Crow
• Good Men from Mothers Clan and Good Men from
  Fathers Clan

Source Apsaalooke Nation, Cultural Affairs
Department
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Crow Tribe Tourism Contact

• LBHC Apsaalooke Tours
• 1 Forestry Lane, Box 370
• Crow Agency, MT 59022
• 406-638-3139
• www.lbhc.cc.mt.us/atours/
• www.crownations.net

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Northern Cheyenne Reservation

• Home of the Tsistsistas or Human Beings
• 437,000 acre reservation in SE Montana

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Northern Cheyenne Attractions

• John Woodenlegs Memorial Library
• 4th of July Powwow in Lame Deer
• Labor Day Powwow in Ashland
• Crazy Head Springs
• Tongue River

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Northern Cheyenne Flag

• Symbol of the Morning Star or WOHEHIV
• Name of great Chief Morning Star or Dull Knife
• First star to rise in the Morning

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Northern Cheyenne Contact InfoNorthern Cheyenne
Tribal CouncilPO Box 128Lame Deer, MT
59043Phone [phone]  Fax (406)
477-6210Website http//www.ncheyenne.net
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How to contact us
Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance P.O. Box
1224 Billings, MT 59103 Phone [phone]
Fax [phone] Email dyani_b_at_hotmail.com
Website www.bigskytribes.com
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Credits

• PowerPoint presentation by Dyani Bingham, MTTA
  Coordinator
• The National Park Service, LC National Historic
  Trail 2005 Challenge Cost Share Grant
• Thank you to Montana Indian Tribal governments
  and business people
• Tribal Tourism Toolkit - Lewis Clark
  Bicentennial and Other Tribal Opportunities,
  NATHPO