Tribal Tourism and Native Voices in Parks (U.S. National Park Service)

Throughout the United States, the stories and heritage of the first peoples that inhabited this land frequently intersect closely with national parks due to geography, history, and culture. Many national parks are ancestral homelands and important places for maintaining cultural identity. The National Park Service (NPS) is committed to working with American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians to preserve native cultural heritage and celebrate tribal cultures.

In recent years, a number of collaborations between tribes and the NPS have focused on amplifying native voices within park visitor experiences and supporting the development of tribal tourism. Through these collaborations, tourism can help Indian Country link its historical interpretations and cultural vitality to modern landscapes, showcasing tribal stories and perspectives that are intertwined in the fabric of American history. Recognizing the growing popularity of tourism to Indian Country and the resulting benefits of economic development and the expression and preservation of native cultural heritage, the National Park Service in its second century of stewardship continues to engage with tribal partners and support native tourism.