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Building Informal Relationships with Native Nations and Communities

A Comprehensive Two-Day Training

Developed by the American Indigenous Tourism Association, this curriculum provides managers, decision-makers, and staff with practical strategies for cultivating authentic, respectful relationships with Native Nations and communities. Grounded in principles of sovereignty and cultural respect, this training aligns with the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act.

This comprehensive two-day professional development program strengthens your ability to build authentic, respectful relationships with Native Nations and communities associated with federally managed lands. Through interactive learning, real-world case studies, and hands-on activities, participants gain actionable strategies they can implement immediately in their work.

By the conclusion of this training, participants will learn:

  • Foundational Understanding of informal relationship building and how it differs from formal consultation
  • NATIVE Act Knowledge including key provisions and strategies for implementation
  • Cultural Tourism Expertise understanding the purpose and significance of cultural tourism for Native Nations and communities
  • Practical Strategies for cultivating informal relationships with historic and contemporary Native Nations
  • Real-World Case Studies from Grand Canyon National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
  • Cultural Protocols essential guidelines for respectful engagement with Native communities
  • Actionable Tools including a personalized relationship-building action plan

"This training provided exactly what we needed - practical strategies that we could start implementing immediately in our work with tribal partners."


"The case studies from Grand Canyon and Mount Rainier were invaluable. Seeing real examples of successful relationship building gave us a roadmap for our own efforts."

"The American Indigenous Tourism Association’s facilitators brought both cultural expertise and practical knowledge. The training struck the perfect balance between respect for sovereignty and actionable steps."

Training Highlights

Interactive Learning
Engage with case studies, group discussions, and hands-on activities designed to facilitate experiential learning and immediate application in your work context.

Expert-Led Instruction
Learn from American Indigenous Tourism Association facilitators with deep expertise in Native tourism, cultural protocols, and relationship building with Indigenous communities.

Practical Tools
Leave with an individualized relationship-building action plan and access to the Association’s comprehensive resource library, including cultural tourism guides and protocol materials.

Cultural Protocols
Understand essential protocols for respectfully engaging with Native Nations and communities, including the Association’s collaboration with Leave No Trace on visitation guidelines.

Training Details

Duration: Two full days (8 hours each day)
Format: In-person interactive training with video case studies, group activities, and discussion
Audience:

  • Federal land managers and decision-makers
  • Tourism and recreational programming staff
  • Interpretation specialists
  • Partnership coordinators
  • Gateway community liaisons
  • Anyone seeking to enhance authentic engagement with Native Nations

Group Size: Optimal for groups of 15-30 participants
Facilitators: The American Indigenous Tourism Association expert instructors with support facilitators

Who Should Attend

This training is tailored for:

  • Managers and decision-makers from all disciplines working with Native Nations and communities
  • Staff involved in tourism and recreational programming
  • Personnel engaged in interpretation and visitor experience initiatives
  • Gateway community partnership coordinators
  • Cultural resources professionals
  • Anyone seeking to enhance authentic engagement with Native Nations and communities

Training Curriculum Overview

Day 1: Foundations

  • Introduction to the American Indigenous Tourism Association and its mission
  • Language and group agreements for respectful learning
  • Cultural protocols for visiting Native lands
  • Definition and discussion of informal relationship building
  • Introduction to the NATIVE Act
  • Development of initial action items

Day 2: Application and Practice

  • Cultural tourism definitions and significance
  • Case Study: Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower Project
  • Case Study: The American Indigenous Tourism Association
  • Mount Rainier Pilot Project
  • How cultural tourism supports relationship building
  • Hands-on activity: Informal Relationship Building Tool
  • Finalization of personalized action plans

Host This Training at Your Organization

The American Indigenous Tourism Association offers this curriculum to federal agencies, tribal organizations, and partner institutions. We can customize the training to address your organization's specific context and relationship-building goals.

Benefits of Hosting Include:

  • Tailored Content specific to your region and associated Native Nations
  • On-Site Delivery at your preferred location
  • Co-Facilitation Options with your agency staff to incorporate organizational policies
  • Customized Case Studies relevant to your geographic area
  • Follow-Up Support and access to ongoing resources
  • Team Building professional development for your entire staff

Contact the American Indigenous Tourism Association for hosting fees and scheduling options. We work with organizations to ensure this training is accessible and valuable.