Washington state’s 29 Indian tribes have done something they have never tried before — produced a tourism guide encouraging people to learn more about their history and culture.
The publication, "A Travel Guide to Indian Country," is intended to attract visitors from around the world to tribal powwows and other events, as well as museums, cultural centers and native art galleries.
"It’s the first time the tribes are openly inviting the general public to come share a part of their culture and their people," said Lyn Dennis, a member of the Lummi Tribe who co-authored the publication.
Dennis said the guide is an outgrowth of an economic development study done in the late ’90s. About 150,000 copies have been printed for distribution to convention bureaus, chambers of commerce and state ferries.
The publication includes information on the history of the different tribes as well as current events.
"They’re all very different," Dennis noted of the state’s 29 federally recognized tribes. "Just because you’ve visited one tribe on the coast doesn’t mean the next tribe down does things the same way."
For example, the guide mentions that Snohomish County’s Tulalip Reservation hosts descendants of the Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Snohomish and other bands of Indians. It explains how the Snohomish had permanent villages in what is now Everett, Mukilteo, and Whidbey and Camano islands.
The guide also mentions the tribal casino and the shopping area at Quil Ceda Village, as well as the annual Salmon Ceremony in June, its Treaty Days evening in late January and its Veterans Pow Wow, also in June.
Dennis said she personally visited each tribe, and each approved the content for the guide. She said it the guide has strong support.
"It’s an avenue for them to move forward with economic development," she said. "Tourism is the future for tribes."
Dennis noted that she planned to leave for Germany this week to promote Washington tourism. She said Germans in particular are fascinated with American Indian culture.
The guide’s co-author, Victoria Arsenian, agreed.
"I think they gravitate toward the tribes and the religious aspects," she said. "There are tribal artists who make a living off German customers by traveling back and forth to promote their art."
Dennis and Arsenian said tribes in Oregon and Idaho have asked about starting similar publications of their own. Such guides, they added, are a first step toward development of more extensive tourism packages.
"A lot of tribes feel they want to share their stories," Arsenian said. "This is a chance to share who they are and what they’re about with the general public."
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