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North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance pitches cultural tourism, reports rising economic impact
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Summary
Leaders of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance told the Tribal and State Relations Committee that tribal‑led cultural tourism is expanding, reporting a $3.3 billion economic impact in 2023 and $3.4 billion in 2024 and outlining plans for international and regional tours and events tied to America250 activities.
Representatives of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance told the Tribal and State Relations Committee that tribal‑led cultural tourism is growing and that tribes want to retain more visitor spending locally.
"My name is Les Thomas. I'm an enrolled member of Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, and presently I am the board president of North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance," Les Thomas said, introducing the alliance and its purpose "to preserve, protect, promote, and respect and educate the world about our history and our cultures." He told the committee that the alliance recorded a $3,300,000,000 economic impact in 2023 and preliminary figures of $3.4 billion for 2024.
Stacy Lecamp, introduced herself as the Executive Director of the alliance and described how the group organizes regional tours so visitors spend nights and dollars on tribal lands. "We start developing these what we call regional... within 1 tribal base, wherever that tribal nation is at, what is the surrounding area around it? What can they see if they're gonna go from A, B to C? But making sure they're staying at our tribal nations," Lecamp said.
Tamara St. John, tribal historian and a board member for tribal tourism, said the work is an expression of tribal sovereignty and helps tribes tell their histories "with our own voices." She also noted partnerships with the State Historical Society and university preservation programs and referenced work on NAGPRA protocols and collections.
Alliance speakers described a calendar of international interest — groups from Norway, Sweden, Italy, the U.K. and France — and said the alliance is coordinating with state tourism offices to place tribal experiences on itineraries tied to larger events. The group said it is planning outreach connected to America250 activities and to statewide festivals such as the HoosFest and the United Tribes Powwow.
The presenters listed concrete tourism‑development items already in place in tribal communities, including an indoor water park and equestrian facility in Turtle Mountain and interpretive centers and cultural events at other tribal sites. They said booking for international tours typically begins in October and stressed the importance of on‑reservation lodging, tour products and local entrepreneurs for capturing visitor spending.
Why it matters: Committee members and state staff heard that tribal‑led tourism is already a significant economic sector and that tribes want partnership with state marketing efforts to increase visitor stays on tribal lands. The alliance requested continued collaboration on event calendars, marketing and logistics; committee members signaled support for partnership and further meetings.
