Session 2: Engaging Responsible Visitors Through Your Story

In the second installment of this webinar series, the American Indigenous Tourism Association will take a closer look at a unique planning tool developed by Nevada’s Indian Territory. This tool supports the creation of sustainable land use plans that align tourism and recreation goals with cultural perpetuation, economic development, and healthy forest and land management.

Ben Rupert (Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute and Washoe), Treasurer, Nevada’s Indian Territory

Ben Rupert, of Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute and Washoe descent, serves on the Nevada’s Indian Territory leadership team, the marketing arm of the Nevada Commission on Tourism. He has led Nevada’s Indian Territory efforts to support destination development across Great Basin tribal communities.

A Native dancer and traditional artist, Ben is committed to sharing his culture through presentations, dancing, fishing, hunting, traditional art, and stewarding Great Basin traditions.

Ben recently retired from the City of Reno Fire Department after 33 years in the fire service. He is married and has three sons and three grandchildren. He graduated from Oregon State University and recently earned a master’s in sustainable tourism from Arizona State University. He also served in the U.S. Army as an Airborne infantryman.

Dawnielle Tehama (Moderator), Education and Business Development Director, American Indigenous Tourism Association

Dawnielle Tehama is a Modoc tourism professional and an enrolled citizen of the Klamath Tribes with deep experience in stewardship, destination development, and Indigenous tourism. She serves as Education and Business Development Director for the American Indigenous Tourism Association, following her work as a senior associate principal at Coraggio Group, where she supported strategic planning and community engagement across the tourism sector. As a destination management organization (DMO) leader, she advanced regenerative travel efforts and diversity initiatives grounded in community priorities.

After law school, Tehama launched and operated multiple small businesses before discovering her passion for tourism. She helped establish a DMO in southern Oregon and served as a liaison to her tribe. Her career also includes overseeing global marketing for the Hualapai Tribe at Grand Canyon West, contributing to early economic development planning for the Hopi Tribe, and collaborating with the Grand Ronde, Siletz, and Klamath Tribes on a variety of tourism and economic growth initiatives.

She holds a Class III gaming license in three states and has presented on Indigenous tourism for global organizations, including The World Travel and Tourism Council. Her credentials include recognition as a Certified Diversity Tourism Professional, Certified Autism Specialist, graduate of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy, and Woman of the Year from the National Tour Association. She chairs the National Tour Association’s DEI Advisory Council, is a member of the Tourism Cares Program Committee, and has served as a Climate Champion within the Expedia Sustainable Destination DMO program.

In all her work, Tehama remains dedicated to unifying stakeholder voices while promoting stewardship that sustains communities for generations.