News
2007
October 05, 2007 -
Byways and Indian Country
As I write this, I am 25,000 feet and climbing somewhere over eastern Tennessee. I am on my way home from attending the 2007 American Indian Tourism Conference in Cherokee, North Carolina.
We are continuing our outreach into Indian Country and providing information and resources to Tribes about the National Scenic Byways Program. The Resource Center was a sponsor and presenter at the conference. Scott Sufficool, our Tribal Liaison, and Cheryl Cloud from the Michigan Tribal Technical Assistance Program, talked about opportunities and partnerships for Tribal byways. The conference (the 9th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference) was presented by the American Indian Native Alaska Tourism Association, a strong organization that recently hired an Executive Director and purchased permanent office space at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Check out their newly redesigned website at www.aianta.org.
One of my favorite moments was the opening night reception, hosted by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. They treated us to great food, good stories and some really impressive dancing. The Cherokees decided several years ago to resurrect traditional dancing to honor their elders and teach their children. They are the Warriors of AniKituhwa and seven men, dressed in the Cherokee warrior tradition, explained their clothing, paint, jewelry and weapons in a fun and informative presentation. Their leader, Bo Taylor, narrated the dances and talked about the values of Tribal culture and traditions. Then, they recruited audience members for the Ant Dance and the Bear Dance. (I successfully avoided being chosen - not that I didn’t appreciate their moves, but because I’m not much of a dancer. Really.) Bo reminded everyone that each Tribe has their own stories, language, traditions and culture and it is critical that each Tribe honor their differences and uniqueness and share that with others, to teach visitors and non-Tribal people that Indians are not all the same.
Upcoming Tribal Transportation Conference
The Resource Center will be sponsoring and presenting at the 10th Annual Tribal Transportation Conference in Denver, Colorado. We are working with Sally Pearce, Colorado State Coordinator, to develop a great learning opportunity for participants so they will have the chance to see and learn about the Gold Belt Scenic and Historic Byway. The Gold Belt has great lessons on partnership development and planning that will be useful to Tribes (and you too!).
Interested in more information about byways and Indian Country? Read the article on Indian Country from the March/April 2007 issue of Vistas, and keep checking back to our site. We are continually growing our list of contacts, information and resources for Tribes.
Michelle Johnson
Director
P.S. Here’s a photo of me with Christy Darden, Outreach and Legislative Coordinator for Federal Lands Highway Program and Bo Taylor, Eastern Band of Cherokee.