South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance gains funding to expand tribal tourism

The South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance has received a $175,000 J.M. Kaplan Innovation Prize to expand its efforts to connect visitors with tribally led tourism experiences across the state, according to South Dakota Searchlight. The nonprofit, formed in 2019, works with tribal nations to train tour guides, develop itineraries and build tourism infrastructure in Native communities.

Executive Director Rhea Waldman said the alliance aims to help meet visitor interest in Native experiences while ensuring tribes define how their stories are shared, according to South Dakota Searchlight. Board member Sarah Kills In Water said the funding will help strengthen partnerships with South Dakota’s nine tribal nations, which are spread across large geographic areas.

The unrestricted grant will also support travel and outreach that are difficult to cover through traditional funding, Waldman said. Alliance leaders said the award will expand the organization’s reach and support long-term growth of tribally driven tourism.