Might be time for a road trip next summer! The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) is teaming up with several tribes along the famous Route 66 highway to show how the road shaped their communities.
In a report from The Associated Press, AINTA will be working alongside the National Park Service to dispel long-held stereotypes of those tribes that were in the area.
Virginia Salazar-Halfmoon, who is coordinating the project for the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, said many foreign visitors and even some Americans expect to find Indians wearing headdresses and living in teepees when they travel along the route.
“What we would like them to know is that we are all unique nations. We have a different story and a different history with Route 66,” she said. “We're very much wanting to share who we are with the world.”
The press release states that this is not just a one-time project, but will be an ongoing opportunity for tribes to create educational, cultural and tourism attractions.
Tribes Associated with Route 66:
Arizona
Hualapai Tribal Council
Hopi Tribal Council
Navajo Nation
Oklahoma
Cherokee Nation
Cheyenne-Arapahoe Business Council
Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
Osage Nation of Oklahoma
Quapaw Tribal business committee
Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma
Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma
Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma
Chickasaw Nation
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma
New Mexico
Pueblo of Acoma
Pueblo of Isleta
Pueblo of Laguna
Pueblo of Cochiti
Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo)
Pueblo of Sandia
Pueblo of Santa Ana
Pueblo of San Felipe
Pueblo of Zia
Pueblo of Zuni
California
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Fort Mojave Tribal Council
Looking forward to seeing everyone comes up with! For more information visit http://www.aianta.org/.
