We had the enormous opportunity, for the second year in a row, to present at the Reservation Economic Summit (RES), the largest gathering of more than 4,000 Native American and Tribal leaders from across Indian Country. Hosted by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, RES is a powerful platform to share ideas, build partnerships, and shape the future of Native economies.
This year, our team at the GW International Institute of Tourism Studies focused on sharing experiences and insights around developing authentic Indigenous tourism experiences that are community-driven and culturally grounded. Executive Director Seleni Matus moderated a dynamic panel discussion featuring Sarah Kills In Water (Reynolds) of the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, Stacey LaCompte of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, and Emily Edenshaw, President of the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Together, the panelists explored how tourism can be co-created with Indigenous communities to serve as a tool for both economic empowerment and cultural preservation. Their discussion underscored the importance of strong partnerships—locally, nationally, and internationally—to ensure that Indigenous-led tourism efforts are sustainable, impactful, and truly reflective of community values.
As we continue to grow our work in Indigenous tourism, RES remains a vital space for advancing visibility, collaboration, and leadership across the sector. We’re honored to contribute to these conversations and to support Native leaders in shaping tourism on their own terms.
