The American Indigenous Tourism Association honored tourism professionals, entrepreneurs and artisans at its 2026 Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards, presented Oct. 21 in Tulalip, Wash.
Gary Snow (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation), Earth Lodge Village supervisor for MHA Nation Tourism, received the Industry Professional of the Year award. His work includes partnerships with state and regional tourism organizations.
Christine Morton (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes), founder of the tribes’ Route 66 Roundtable, received the customer service award. Native Hawaiian chef Kaimana Barros of Kaimana Catering received the culinary tourism award for dining experiences incorporating Hawaiian culture and local food systems.
Kelly and Tyson Back (Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe), owners of Fire Loom Creations, received the artisan award for their Haudenosaunee loom beadwork.
Indigenous Futures Awards went to Coen Cadinha, the Native Hawaiian founder of youth entrepreneurship nonprofit Keiki Rise; Bree Lopez (Pascua Yaqui Tribe), sports sales manager for Visit Tucson; and Anisa Pelayo (Cedar Band of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah), marketing and outreach coordinator for the Indian Nations Gaming & Governance Program.
Organizational honorees included Suquamish Museum, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ Singing the Birds: Bird Song Festival, Visit California and the Chickasaw Cultural Center.
