The man appeared visibly frustrated after McDonald, a spokesman for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, told the couple they just missed the powwow by a few weeks.
For the hundreds of thousands of overseas travelers who visited tribal communities around the United States in 2006, powwows have long been a favorite attraction - but even powwows fall behind tourists' top demands once they arrive in a tribal community.
Tribes across the country have had to consider how they want to address tourism. In western Montana, the Flathead and Blackfeet reservations are located within and surrounded by majestic mountains and sparkling rivers and lakes. And both have casinos.
But their approach to tourism reflects a national trend. The majority of tribes haven't made tourism a priority, while some have decided to make their homelands a destination place.
“It was suggested to us that we have a weekly dance demonstration,” said McDonald. “Our elders talked about it. But it was seen as a throwback to the 1970s when we'd throw a feather on and dance for the tourists. That's not what we want to do.”
That's a good choice, considering today's overseas tourists want the authentic version of Native America, according to Ed Hall, founder of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, or AIANTA.
Overseas travelers are expected to set a record in 2010, with an estimated 26.2 million tourists arriving in the United States. In 2006, more than 700,000 foreigners visited tribal lands.
The Blackfeet Reservation, which borders Glacier National Park, is a top draw for overseas tourists in Montana. The tribe and its entrepreneurs have responded with a series of year-round activities that include museum attractions, horse racing, outfitting, ice fishing and big-game hunts.
The top draw in Browning is the Blackfeet Heritage Center and Art Gallery, a tribally owned business that features the art of internationally acclaimed Blackfeet artists, including the work of King Kuka, Terrance Guardipee and Valentino LaPier.
“We get a huge amount of summer tourism,” said Zola Sellars, manager of the Blackfeet Heritage Center. “It's definitely a place to stop. It's a great feeling all around when you walk through the door.”
The 6,000-square-foot business caters to tourists' shopping demands, where they can buy everything from Blackfeet-made lotions, soaps and balms to bronze statues, beadwork, clothes, herbs and paintings.
The Blackfeet Nation also reaches out to visitors through a Web site, www.blackfeetnationstore.com. “We get hits from all over the world,” said Sellars.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have taken a different approach.
If a tourist were to arrive on the Flathead Reservation today, he or she would likely be directed to The People's Center, a museum and gift shop in Pablo which regularly schedules cultural activities.
“We did have someone who did ecotours,” said McDonald. “That was cut for this current budget.”
He said all other tourism efforts have been placed in the hands of the tribe's manager of the Kwa-tuq-nuq Resort, a hotel, casino and restaurant located on the shores of the Flathead Lake in Polson.
Of the top 13 activities of overseas travelers to Indian Country, a trip to the casino was rated No. 12, according to the International Trade Association.
While the Salish and Kootenai encourage visits to the tribal casinos, those same efforts aren't being extended elsewhere. “The focus of council is, ‘We're not trying to draw people in from all over the world,' ” said McDonald.
“It's hard work keeping these mountains as pristine as they are,” he said. “I don't think anyone would argue they are remarkable in their natural untouched state.”
Reach reporter Jodi Rave at 800-366-7186 or jodi.rave@lee.net
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