Tourism built from the community outward.
Our programs start with what each community wants to share, and what it wants to protect. Then we help connect that to visitors, training, and funding.
Montana Indigenous Tourism Trails Project
Our largest program. It will create Indigenous tourism trails that connect, interpret, and market tourism experiences within and across our reservations.
The project gives communities control over the story. Each one decides how its story is told, and how its sacred places and history are protected. Visitors learn how to travel through Indian Country in sustainable and respectful ways.
The work includes:
- Building relationships and tourism capacity within tribal communities.
- Community assessments that name tourism assets, needs, opportunities, and priorities.
- Community ambassadors who find and tell the stories of their own places.
- Indigenous-led visitor information, itineraries, and digital resources.
- Stronger ties between tribal communities and Montana’s wider tourism industry.
- More visibility for Indigenous businesses, cultural organizations, artists, guides, museums, and events.
The project is funded by the Montana Department of Commerce through its community tourism grant program.
Community steering committees
Each community hosts a steering committee: committed community members who guide tourism in a way that honors culture, protects the land, and strengthens the tribal economy.
Why it matters
The committees support tribal sovereignty, keep the community’s voice in front, protect cultural knowledge, create opportunities for tribal citizens, and strengthen pride, culture, and local businesses.
Who should be involved
Elders and knowledge keepers. Youth and young leaders. Culture and language programs. Business owners and economic development staff. Artists, guides, and entrepreneurs. Natural resources and wildlife programs. Educators and community organizations.
What a committee does
Creates a shared vision for tribal tourism, identifies cultural and natural tourism opportunities, helps protect sacred places and stories, supports local entrepreneurs, and guides long-term stewardship.
How to take part
Come to meetings, bring ideas forward, share knowledge and stories, support youth involvement, and help shape a respectful tourism future.
Want to join your community’s committee?
Email info@visitmita.org or call 406-845-6569.
More of what we do
First Peoples Montana
Our invitation to travelers: Indigenous stories, businesses, and experiences across Montana, shared by the people they belong to.
About First Peoples MontanaMembership and monthly gatherings
Members meet online each month to trade news, hear from guests, and find grants, training, and partners. Membership is free.
What members getCommunity ambassadors
Ambassadors live in the communities they cover. They gather the events, photos, and stories their community chooses to share.
See the communitiesThe podcast
Conversations with the people building Indigenous tourism in Montana, hosted by Lailani Upham and Luella Brien.
ListenTourism can be a tool for prosperity. It works when communities lead it.
When Indigenous communities lead tourism
- Revenue stays in local communities.
- Native-owned businesses grow.
- Cultural knowledge is shared appropriately.
- Youth see opportunities at home.
- Visitors gain deeper understanding.
- Communities keep control of their stories.
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.