NOTICES
Indian Country Tourism Conference Hits Denver in September
International participants from as far away as New Zealand and as close as
Canada are joining Native Americans, government officials, cultural tourism
specialists, educators, and a host of tourism industry representatives on Sept. 26-28,
2002, for a forum that studies the booming Indian Country tourism trade.
The theme of “People, Culture, Heritage, and Place” addresses the positive
attractions of Native tourism that appeal to diverse international audiences.
The Native Tourism Alliance, an initiative of the Western American
Indian Chamber, will host this meeting, which expects to attract
participants in the fields of cultural/heritage tourism, eco-tourism,
and sustainable development.
“The ultimate goal of this gathering is to assess how
indigenous people can develop sustainable tourism enterprises
in ways that improve community economic opportunity, support
the preservation of indigenous cultures and protect precious lands
and natural resources,” says Ben Sherman, president. “This
conference will explore avenues for native people to work with
domestic and international partners who share common values
regarding community, culture, and lands.”
The three-day conference features such notable speakers as
Curly Bear Wagner, internationally known Blackfeet historian,
lecturer, and cultural tourism expert; Lorentino Lalio, New
Mexico’s Indian tourism director; Marsha Smoke, owner of
Canada’s Pash Travel; Margaret Nelson, president of the Alaska
Native Heritage Center; and Johnpaul Jones, renowned Choctaw architect with
Seattle-based Jones & Jones Architects.
The conference is packed with topics, including tourism programs for
gaming tribes, Lewis & Clark bicentennial opportunities, building sustainable
community enterprises, partnering for success, marketing Native tourism,
education in Native tourism development, and integrating art, culture, heritage,
and place. All sessions will promote active participation among speakers,
panelists, and audiences.
A banquet will feature special entertainment and the presentation of NTA
Trust Awards to four deserving Native tourism enterprises. A social pow-wow
will be held.
Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST) and the American Express
Company are major sponsors of the event. BEST is an initiative of The Conference
Board, in association with the World Travel & Tourism Council. BEST and
American Express provided funding for the new online Web site directory,
www.nativetourism.org, developed by the Western American Indian
Chamber and Native Tourism Alliance.
The conference costs $300 and includes the opening
reception, general sessions, special sessions, materials, lunches,
and a banquet. Exhibit booths are $300 for trade booths and $ 150
for Native art/craft booths. American Express, MasterCard, and
Visa credit cards are accepted. There is an extra $25 charge for
purchase orders.
Register
for
the
conference
online
at
www.nativetourismalliance.org , call 303-661-9819, or e-mail
conference@indiancountry.org. The official travel agent is
Native Tourism & Travel. E-mail Sonja Tanner at
boozhoo@nativetours.com, or call 952-346-9250.
Special conference lodging rates are available at the
Renaissance Denver Hotel, the site of the conference. Call
303-399-7500 and mention the conference.
The Native Tourism Alliance, headquartered in Denver, Colo., has played a
central role in supporting American Indian tourism interests in the United States
for several years. This initiative of the Western American Indian Chamber was
created to serve American Indian business and economic development through
tourism while supporting the preservation and integrity of indigenous cultures,
communities, and lands.
An all-Indian board of directors leads the Native Tourism Alliance. Visit
www.nativetourismalliance.org for more information.
NTA
N
ative
T
A ll ance
Arts Commission Requests
Applications for Leadership Grants
Munsel Park Apartments Offers
Senior Housing
Kellenbeck Property Man
agement manages Munsel Park
Apartments, located at 2021 East 12th
St. in Florence, Ore. The complex is
designated for seniors.
To be eligible, the head of
household or spouse must be a
senior
and/or
handicapped/
disabled, regardless of age. The
complex carries an FmHA mortgage
and Rural Development has the
responsibility to monitor the
management of the complex to
ensure program compliance.
The complex has 44 units with
full subsidies available. Managers
must abide by the Affirmative Fair
Housing Marketing Plan, which
requires outreach by notifying the
public that the complex exists and that
subsidies are assigned to the complex.
People in need of subsidized
housing can contact the manager of
Munsel Park at 541-997-2661 to
obtain an application. At that time, the
interested party will be informed of
the eligibility requirements and sent
an application if requested.
The Oregon Arts Commission has
role of the arts in learning and to
announced a Sept. 16,2002, application
assist in the improvement of arts
deadline for Arts Education Leadership
education in Oregon schools. These
Grants, which will support projects that
grants are available to non-profit
strengthen and integrate the arts into
organizations, schools, and school
school curriculum and community life.
districts, as well as local arts and
“Arts programs have a profound
impact on the lives of children and
community service organizations.
Applications will be accepted until
adults. The Oregon Arts Commission
a postmark deadline of Sept. 16, 2002.
has a strong commitment to building
Grant requests must be for activities
strong education programs through
or projects occurring Jan. 1 through
the arts. This program supports
creative sustained partnerships between
Dec. 31,2003.
Request an application from the
schools, communities, and cultural
Oregon Arts Commission office by mail
organizations,” said Kathleen Davis,
at 775 Summer St. NE, Salem, OR
vice chair of the Oregon Arts
97301-1284; or call 503-986-0082.
Commission and chair of the Arts
Guidelines may be downloaded
Education Committee.
from the Oregon Arts Commission’s
Arts Education Leadership Grants
are designed to promote the essential
home page on the Internet at
http://art.econ.state.or.us.
August 2002
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Siletz News
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