North Dakota tribes expand Native tourism efforts

North Dakota tribes say their collaboration to promote Native tourism is drawing international visitors and boosting local economies, according to reporting by North Dakota Monitor. Stacey LaCompte, director of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, told lawmakers that groups from Europe often visit all five tribal nations in the state and spend money on hotels, food and artisan goods.

Tamara St. John, a board member of the alliance and historian for the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, called the effort “precedent setting” as other states form similar groups. Les Thomas, the alliance president, said tribes are diversifying beyond casinos with new attractions and noted the United Tribes Technical College powwow has a $10 million impact. Tribal tourism was also on the agenda at the Tribal Leaders Summit in Bismarck, North Dakota Monitor reported.