Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Donna Wilkie, a Makah Tribal member, has been recruited to head up a newly federally funded Washington State Tribal Tourism promotion effort. As part of an ongoing effort to bring economic vitality to tribes through culturally appropriate tourism, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Economic Development Corporation and the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs (GOIA) announced today that Wilkie will begin her position in January.

Wilkie has worked in the tourism industry for many years, most recently as the land use and tourism planner for the Makah Tribe. She has served on several tourism and economic development committees in the region. Ms. Wilkie has a bachelor's degree in American Indian Studies from the University of Washington, and is the only tribal representative on the Washington Tourism Commission.

"We are thrilled that someone of Donna's caliber is willing to embark on building this state-wide tourism development effort", said Mark Ufkes, ATNI-EDC Executive Director, "She knows Indian Country well. Her tourism industry experience, and her passion for Tribal culture, should serve the Tribes well."

Earlier this year -- as part of Gov. Gary Locke's mandate to create "real jobs in Indian Country" -- the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs and the Office of Trade and Economic Development released the first ever in-depth assessment of tribal tourism in Washington State.

The assessment acted as catalyst for the tribes to apply for and be awarded a $300,000 Administration for Native Americans grant to implement a statewide tribal tourism development effort. Through a partnership with ATNI, the grant will fund the tribal tourism coordinator position. Wilkie's duties will include producing an inter-tribal tourism conference in 2002, a Native tourism Web site and a Washington tribal color travel brochure that will include tourism and entertainment resources for every tribe in the state.

"The ATNI publication is the first ever, to be developed by, and for, tribes and tribal enterprises in Washington", said Ufkes.

Statewide, tourism is a $10.6 billion industry. Yet, many tribes have been unable to generate viable tourism products due to a lack of infrastructure and economic development planning.

"We are seeing a growing interest in Indian Country, and exciting opportunities in tourism", Wilkie pointed out. "Tribes are expanding on their gaming operations and are finding it easier to succeed in the resort business. It's a natural extension."

Wilkie also stressed that "tourism without compensation is just traffic." She said, "Our goal is to create culturally appropriate experiences for tourists, without damaging our tribal communities and tribal cultures."

Walter Jackson, executive director of the Quileute tribe, and chair of ATNI-EDC's Economic Development and Tourism subcommittee said, "a recent study found that Washington's tribes already contribute more than $1 billion to the state's economy through tribal programs and tribal enterprises. "Tourism can bring additional revenues to tribes, surrounding communities and the state," he said.

"Tourism, and local travel –- especially after the September 11 terrorist attacks -- has become more important to economic opportunity", said Ufkes. "Indian Country Tourism in Washington has tremendous potential for growth as a result. The economic and job creation impacts are strong, considering that 27 of Washington's tribes are located in rural areas, where economic growth has already been limited."

In September, the state released a 60-page publication, entitled "Tribal Tourism In Washington State, detailing how individual tribes are currently using tourism as a source of economic development, barriers and concerns related to tourism projects, infrastructure and assistance needed to create additional products, and ideas for future tourism opportunities. Twenty-seven tribes participated in interviews during the yearlong assessment process.

According to the study, several themes emerged in common for most tribes. Needs and desires for tourism development vary depending on a tribe's location, culture, size and access to financial, natural and human resources. Tribal leaders consistently mentioned infrastructure, cultural protection and marketing as areas of special concern as they relate to tourism development.

The activities and products various tribes said they would like to promote range from annual powwows and festivals to destination resorts and cultural centers.

There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State. Two additional tribes are awaiting federal recognition status. With more than 3.25 million acres of reservation land throughout the state, the tribal population of Washington is 107,219.