Description
A comprehensive program of educational tours and marketing materials have been developed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana.

How to Use This Tool
Concept and Philosophy: The Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Tourism Development Institute was developed for the purpose of enhancing the tourism sector of the economy for the Tribes and their members in a way that is sustainable and environmentally and culturally sensitive. Out of this project has come "Native Ed-Ventures" which provides destination management and marketing services with complete destination packages for visitors to the Flathead Indian Reservation and Western Montana, focusing on Native American Heritage, Natural History and Cultural Interpretation. The goal is to create a learning experience which is mutual that we all may be better keepers of the earth, with respect for all its people - plant, animal, mineral and human - and that we each develop a better understanding of the interconnectedness of all things and apply that understanding in all that we do wherever it is that we each call home.

Visitor Interactions and Services: Visitors receive a basic historical, cultural and natural history overview on the people of the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d'Orielle Tribes. Guided program options and services include:

1. Heritage and History: A Focus on the Arts. Learn about reservation history, life ways, social structure, music and art forms. Visit the historic St. Ignatius Catholic Mission and the Sqelix'u/Aqlsmaknik Cultural Center, as well as local shops and galleries specializing in Native American art (5-6 hours).
2. History, Heritage, and Culture: Tour the Keer Dam and Sqelix'u/Aqlsmaknik Cultural Center (4 hours).
3. A Walk Through Time: Learn about reservation history and visit the National Bison Range, St. Ignatius Catholic Mission, and Kerr Dam (6.5 hours).
4. pow wows: Attend a traditional celebration (3 hours).
5. Bears, Bison, and Birds: Visit the National Bison Range, the Mission Mountains wilderness area to view wildlife and learn about the Tribes' efforts to manage diverse natural ecosystems (mornings or evenings).
6. Customized services for special interest travelers: Personally planned itineraries can be matched to a group's or individual's interests and time constraints. This can include spending an afternoon with a host family or attending a traditional pow wow celebration.
7. Step-on guides: Special guide services are available for our groups.
8. Business meetings/conference services: Arrangements can be made for lodging, local logistics, back-up clerical services for meetings and conferences at the tribally owned and operated KwaTaqNuk lakeside resort. In addition, guided tours can be provided for attendee's spouses and children.

Visitor Experiences: Visitors not only learn about the Tribes' traditional culture and history, but through personal contact with real people, they come to understand who the native peoples are today and how they remain connected to their traditions while living in the modern world.

Other Information: An impressive information packet, in a beautifully illustrated folder, is available through the Native Ed-Ventures office at the Cultural Center. It contains attractive brochures on the various tour programs listed above, the Cultural Center, reservation map and attractions, resort, and Indian reservations of Montana (including visitor etiquette and calendar of events). In addition, there is a newsletter, attractive one-page fliers for the travel trade that focus on motor coach tour operators, travel planners and agencies, and business meeting/conference planners, and a response card for requesting more information.

Contacts
Native Ed-Ventures
PO Box 278, 53253 Hwy 93 W
Pablo, MT 59855.
800/883-5344 or 406/675-0160, FAX 406/675-0260

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Education & Interpretation