Caption_-Saxman-Native-Village-Totem-Park

The U.S. Forest Service and American Indigenous Tourism Association NATIVE Act Requests for Proposals FY 2026

March 17, 2026

Recipients across the U.S. will receive funding for tourism infrastructure and capacity building in Native American communities

CARSON CITY, N.V. (March 17, 2026) – the American Indigenous Tourism Association (AIT) – the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States and its territories, as a collaborative partner with the U.S. Forest Service, is issuing the FY 2026 NATIVE Act Request for Proposals.

The U.S. Forest Service and AIT are working jointly to implement the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) through technical assistance, grant opportunities and tourism collaboration at the destination/community level. In 2018, AIT (formerly AIANTA) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Forest Service to collaborate on NATIVE Act activities, and, subsequently, in 2022 entered into a partnership agreement to distribute NATIVE Act Grant funding. To support this work, the U.S. Forest Service and AIT are issuing the FY 2026 NATIVE Act Request for Proposals.

The Request for Grant Proposals calls for applications from Tribal Nations, Tribal Enterprises and Indigenous nonprofits that border and/or have historic ties to U.S. Forest Service managed lands and regions.

  • Grant Range: Up to $50,000
  • Timeline
    • All RFPs must be submitted by May 1, 2026
    • Completed by: All projects must be completed by May 1, 2027; No extensions will be approved for grants awarded under this RFP
    • Reporting Requirements/Progress Reports: Final report due on or before May 31, 2027
  • Eligibility
    • Tribal Nations, Tribal Organizations and Indigenous nonprofits that border and/or have historic ties to U.S. Forest Service managed lands
    • Grants must be used for cultural tourism, interpretation and/or recreation initiatives that support the purposes of the NATIVE Act

“As managers of 193 million acres of public lands and hosts to 168 million recreation visitors annually, the U.S. Forest Service is a natural partner for NATIVE Act projects,” said Toby Bloom, National Program Manager for Travel, Tourism and Interpretation, U.S. Forest Service. “Virtually all the lands we manage are Traditional Homelands as well as sacred and treaty lands that were stewarded by tribes for centuries, so we are pleased to work with the American Indigenous Tourism Association to provide direct tourism and recreation grants to our tribal partners to help us shape how we value, co-manage, and steward our Nation’s grasslands and forests,” she added.

For more than 27 years, the American Indigenous Tourism Association has worked to address inequities in the tourism system and has served as the national voice for U.S. Indigenous peoples engaged in cultural tourism, while providing technical assistance, training and capacity building to Native Nations and communities and Indigenous-owned enterprises engaged in tourism, hospitality, and recreation.

“We are thrilled to once again receive NATIVE Act funding support from the U.S. Forest Service,” said Sherry L. Rupert, (Paiute/Washoe), CEO of the American Indigenous Tourism Association. “This partnership strengthens our efforts to enhance cultural tourism and uplift Indigenous-owned enterprises across tourism, hospitality, and recreation. Ensuring these funds go directly to Tribes is essential—Tribal communities know best what is needed and how to implement projects that honor their culture, support their economies, and benefit their people.”

To learn more about all required RFP criteria, selection schedule and important dates, please visit www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org/nativeact26.

About the American Indigenous Tourism Association
For more than 27 years, the American Indigenous Tourism Association has served as the only national organization dedicated to advancing a mission to define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values across the United States and its territories. Established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system, the American Indigenous Tourism Association is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Indigenous board of directors and serves as a united voice for the $11.6 billion Indigenous hospitality sector. Its successful legislative work led to the industry-changing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation. Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org and visitors interested in learning more about Indigenous culture can visit www.DestinationNativeAmerica.com.

U.S. Forest Service
The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Media Contact:
Liz Slobodian, APR
Liz@shipwrightcommunications.com

Media Assets for this press release

Photo credit: Cape Fox Cultural Foundation
Caption: Saxman Native Village & Totem Park in Ketchikan, Alaska. NATIVE Act Grant FY 24 project recipient.