A shared voice for Indigenous tourism in Montana.
The Montana Indigenous Tourism Alliance (MITA) is an Indigenous-led nonprofit. We connect tribal communities, tourism leaders, business owners, storytellers, and partners across the state.
To support culturally appropriate Indigenous tourism development and promotion in Montana.
MITA’s vision
MITA was formed to give tribes a greater collective voice, and a way to share knowledge and ideas, so tourism is built through collaboration among our Native nations and communities.
Our goal is to further tourism that is sustainable, culturally and environmentally sensitive, and economically sound. MITA gives us the opportunity to share our tribal stories and cultural heritage in our own voice.
The work is grounded in a simple principle. Indigenous communities should have a meaningful voice in how tourism develops in our homelands, how our stories are shared, and how tourism dollars reach our communities.
Why an alliance.
One project can build momentum. Lasting change needs an organization that carries the work forward.
Keeping relationships
Someone must maintain relationships across communities, year after year.
Bringing people together
Someone must convene people who might otherwise rarely have the chance to work together.
Turning ideas into opportunity
Someone must help communities turn ideas into visitor experiences and economic opportunities.
Keeping communities at the center
Someone must work with tourism organizations, state agencies, funders, and businesses while Indigenous communities stay at the center of the work.
That is the role MITA is growing into.
How we work.
MITA does not speak for Montana’s tribal nations or communities. Each community determines its own priorities, stories, and approach to tourism.
MITA does not decide what a community should share with visitors. Communities name their own opportunities and their own boundaries. MITA helps connect that work to resources, partnerships, training, visibility, and a larger statewide network.
Our values
- Respect
- Reciprocity
- Cultural safety
- Environmental stewardship
- Sovereignty
- Community strength
How MITA began.
MITA grew out of a simple need: a central way for Montana’s tribes to share what they were learning about tourism, and to speak with one voice when it mattered.
In the first episode of the First Peoples Montana podcast, MITA founder Gayle Skunkcap Jr. and advisor Kristin Lamoureux tell the story in their own words.
The people
MITA is led by a small staff and a volunteer board of directors.
Our supporters
MITA was formed with support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development. The Montana Indigenous Tourism Trails Project is funded by the Montana Department of Commerce.
Membership is free
Find your people. Shape what’s next.
Connections, visibility, and support for your work in Indigenous tourism. Joining takes a name and an email. No payment details.
Founding member 2026
Everyone who joins in 2026 is a founding member, with a gold badge on their member profile to show it.