The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is part of 30 tribes and tribal organizations that will receive more than $3 million in tourism grants from the Department of the Interior Tribal Grants Program.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the committee, announced the grants, according to a March 21 press release.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center will receive $113,251, according to the release.
“This new funding will further empower Native communities across the country to expand unique cultural tourism opportunities and share their own stories, cultures, and traditions with visitors,” Schatz said.
Grants were awarded to organizations in Alaska, Oklahoma, California, Maine, Montana, Michigan, North Dakota, Texas, Oregon, New York, South Dakota, Louisiana, Kansas, Wyoming, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Idaho.
“Tribal tourism grants empower tribes to expand opportunities to learn about Native peoples and cultures, create jobs, and increase revenues for vital services in their communities,” Murkowski said. “The department’s announcement covers four Alaska tribes and tribal organizations which are the first-ever Alaska recipients of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Tribal Tourism Grants—Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Native Village of Chenega, Village of Kaktovik, and Haida Corporation.”
Murkowski also provided some insight into the work her and Schatz have been doing to support Native Americans.
“My friend, Chairman Schatz, and I have been co-leading efforts to direct the federal government to fully implement the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act – the NATIVE Act – which established the Tribal Tourism Grant Program in 2016,” she said. “And we continue to advocate for our bill that amends the NATIVE Act to further promote Native-run tourism across the country.”