Sharing this for photographers who may have images from the Nez Perce National Historic Trail or places connected to it.

The American Indigenous Tourism Association, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, is accepting entries for the Nez Perce Sesquicentennial Photo Contest through Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.

The contest is part of efforts to commemorate the approaching 150th anniversary of the 1877 Flight of the Nimíipuu. Amateur and professional photographers age 18 and older are invited to submit photographs reflecting the landscapes, history, living cultures, and enduring connections associated with the 1,170-mile trail.

Photos may include scenic and historic places, community gatherings, commemorative events, intergenerational storytelling, or contemporary Indigenous connections to the trail.

A few key details:

• $1,000 grand prize
• First-, second-, and third-place prizes in each category
• Up to three entries per photographer
• Each photo requires a 50- to 100-word statement
• Deadline: Oct. 1, 2026

Entries should respect Tribal cultural values, ceremony protocols, sacred places, cultural resources, and the privacy and dignity of individuals and communities.

Full contest details and submission information:
https://americanindigenoustourism.org/nez-perce-national-historic-trail/

Recovery from a wildfire doesn’t end when the fire is out. There are longer-term questions around forest health, preparedness, funding, project development, and how communities become more resilient before the next emergency.

With those issues especially relevant across the Spokane area right now, the American Indigenous Tourism Association is hosting a free Community Navigator Workshop Sept. 14-15 at Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino.

The workshop will cover wildfire resilience and forest health, along with land stewardship, community planning, project development, grant readiness, and the role Indigenous tourism can play in supporting community and economic resilience.

It’s free to attend, and the conversations are meant to be practical -- not just about responding to wildfire, but about what communities can do next.

Sept. 14–15, 2026
Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino
Free registration

More information and registration:
https://americanindigenoustourism.org/community-navigator-program/

Share What Matters Most in Your Region

The American Indigenous Tourism Association invites Indigenous tourism businesses, Native Nations and communities, and industry partners to share their input through a short, anonymous survey.

https://americanindigenoustourism.org/survey/

Survey responses will help the association better understand the needs, priorities, opportunities, and challenges affecting Indigenous tourism across the country. All responses will be aggregated, and no personal information will be collected.

Take a few moments to share your input and help ensure the association’s future work reflects the real needs of Indigenous communities, businesses, cultural experiences, and tourism partners.

The Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards include categories for Excellence in Customer Service and Industry Professional of the Year, honoring the people whose work helps visitors feel welcomed, informed, and connected.

Know someone who goes above and beyond in Indigenous tourism? Nominate them by July 17.