PAGE 12 WARM SPRINGS» OREGON JANUARY 21, 1977
Travel group tours reservation
Members of the American
Indian Travel Commission, a
non-profit group that promotes
Indian tourism nationwide, had
a tour of their own while they
visited Kah-Nee-Ta last week.
Here for their quarterly meet?
ing January 16-19, five staffers
and board members were
shown an assortment of local
sights before tackling their
business.
Because of their involve
ment with recreation
and
tourism, the visitors’ interest
was especially drawn to the
tepees at Kah-Nee-Ta and the
new Visitors Information Cen
ter.
Warm Springs has had a
special interest in the Com-
H H
MEMBERS OF THE American Indian Travel Commission visited Kah-Nee-Ta Village on a tour oi
the reservation. Caught emerging from a tepee were (left to right) Cornelius Abrams, Rose Crow
Flies High, Hilary Osborn, Marjorie Hudson and Dolly Clem.
(Photo by Cynthia Stowell)
Put a mark on your calen
dar because something really
special is happening in Warm
Springs on February 8th at 8
p.m. in the Community Center
gym. The Red Earth Perform
ing Arts Company is coming to
Warm Springs.
Their performance for the
evening will be “The Changer”
which is based on stories of
«-* S
the coming of man as des
cribed in Puget Sound Legends.
The story is told from the
viewpoint of the bjrds and ani
mals of long ago and their
reaction to the arrival of man
on the earth.
According to Nathan Jim,
Sr., cultural heritage director,
“Red Earth” is an all-Indian
cast of eight — four men and
(Eastern Cherokee), Assistant
to the Executive Vice Presi
dent; and Dolly Clem (Col
ville), Office Manager — were
here for their quarterly meet
ing. The office also includes a
Secretary and two directors of
hotel-motel and campground
services.
Osborn explained that the
function of their organization is
Kah-Nee-Ta regularly ap twofold: to provide technical
pears in brochures and articles assistance to such
Indian
put together by AITC. Ken enterprises as campgrounds,
Smith described a “blitz” ad hotels - motels, and other
vertising” campaign costing tourism facilities, and to pro
$10,000 that was done by AITC mote Native American and
for Kah-NeeTa last year. Radio Native Alaskan tourism on a
stations and newspapers in the nationwide basis.
Portland area were flooded
with spots about the resort.
Before and after the campaign,
Their quarterly report in
random people were questioned
about their knowledge of Kah- dicates that they carry out a
Nee-Ta. Responses showed that variety of activities from the
“flooding the market” was an writing of articles about Indian
effective way of increasing tourism for large publications
such as McCall’s and Holiday
public awareness.
magazines, to evaluations of
plans and sites for the de
The comparatively small velopment of Indian enterpris
organization is composed of es. An impressive list of recent
five board members and six accomplishments shows assis
staff persons. Board members tance provided to Tribes in
attending the meetings at Kah- every part of the country, in
Nee-Ta were Cornelius Abrams, cluding Alaska.
AITC has also produced a
(Seneca), Chairman; Marjorie
Hudson (Otoe-Missouria), Vice film about Indian tourism en
Chairman; Ken Smith, Secre titled “An Original American
tary ; and Rose Crow Flies Vacation” described in the last
High (Mandan), Treasurer. issue of Spilyay Tymoo.
AITC gets its funding from
Another board member not at
EDA technical assistance
tending was Ken Sherer.
AITC has m aintained an grants and BIA goods and ser
office outside Denver, Colorado vices contracts. The organiza
since 1974. Three staffers — tion will be expanding this
Ken Wright, Executive Vice year to include a nine-person
President ; Hilary Osborn board of directors, six of
whom must be Native Ameri
can or native Alaskan and
three of whom must have
special expertise in the tourism
trade.
mission since its incorporation
in 1972, as its first board
chairman was the Tribes’ Gen
eral Manager Ken Smith. He is
now secretary on the board.
The Travel Commission has
also assisted the Confederated
Tribes in promoting Kah-Nee-
Ta nationwide.
four women. The play is per tic! And it’s humorous, tooX
formed in an authentic coastal especially to those who know»
longhouse setting and every and like to tell legends. It’s)
thing is done, with tradition in really great!” -
fi
Nathan Jim is also makingx
mind. “ They use traditional
songs and dance, and they use arrangements for “Red Earth”!)
traditional costumes and wood to appear at the High School«
on the afternoon of the 8th to>
en masks,” he said.
Regarding their perfor perform a one-act play entitled!
mance, Jim said, “It’s fantas- “The Sly Old Bag.”
For those who are unable)
to attend the Warm Springs)
performance, or for those who,
want to see more, “Red Earth”
will be in Bend on the 9th in a
play called “ How Raccoon
Fixed Coyote” .
The performance at Warm
Springs will be presented by
the Confederated Tribes under
the auspices of the Cultural
Heritage program . More de
tails and information will
appear in the next issue of
Spilyay Tymoo.
Memberships will also be
come available this year. In
dividuals may join for $10 per
year, which entitles them to
receive newsletters and other
AITC information, and to vote
at the annual meetings which
have educational as well as
business content. “Sustaining
memberships” for tribes, cor
porations and tourism enter
prises are $100 and offer such
additional benefits as free ad
vertising and priority in tech
nical services.
The first of its kind, ac-
[ cording to Ken Smith, the
American Indian Travel Com-
i mission offers a unique service
(to the Indian tourism industry,
j It was fitting that Kah-Nee-Ta
5 provided the setting for their
5 quarterly meeting.