Blackfeet Tribal Campgrounds , near Glacier National Park
The Navajo Nation operates the Kayenta Solar Facility on its reservation in Arizona
the downstate casino licenses in New York in a competition that also includes nearly all of the major U . S . commercial casino operators .
Decades of experience providing top-class hospitality through their casinos also have well-positioned tribes to delve into non-gaming hospitality ventures . Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures owns and operates several hotels , including the Intercontinental in downtown St . Paul and an Embassy Suites in Oklahoma City . As noted , the Seminole Tribe of Florida owns the Hard Rock Café brand , acquiring it in a nearly $ 1 billion acquisition that closed in 2007 , and today manages Hard Rock hotels , restaurants and casinos in more than 70 countries across the globe .
Tribal Tourism : Sharing Cultural Heritage
For generations , tribes have worked tirelessly to preserve and prioritize their customs and culture , and we see this reflected in nearly all aspects of tribal business . For example , casino design has been heavily influenced by tribal culture ; the corridors of many tribal casinos display images and artifacts , with varying depth , materiality , and animation .
Consider too the traditional geometric patterns prominent among Southwestern tribes , and the modern tribal design invoked by Mohegan Sun in the 1990s . But tribal customs and culture , and the preservation of the natural resources that have long sustained the tribes , have become a business of their own .
Indeed , long before tribes took on gaming operations , reservation lands were leveraged to provide fee-based hunting and fishing , and other recreational opportunities to outdoors enthusiasts . RV parks and convenience stores have been a hallmark for tribes within difficult commercial geographies , and souvenir shops with traditional and modern tribal goods , arts and clothing are ubiquitous throughout the American landscape .
Building on a rich history , tribal cultural tourism offers an immersive experience , narrating stories behind historical facts and providing a glimpse into tribal customs and cultures . Midwestern tribes have offered generations of families lodging and recreation packages in rural areas . The Seminole and Miccosukee Indian Tribes in Florida are famous for their swamp tours and excursions through tribal wetlands . Western U . S . tribes offer gateways into some of the most miraculous natural wonders in the world .
In some cases , tribes have built world-class cultural history museums , such as the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center in Connecticut , which cost approximately $ 193 million to construct in 1998 . While the museum has revenue centers , the return on investment was as much cultural as economic for the tribe .
To that end , it ’ s worth noting that the entertainment and meetings facilities built for casino use often double as the grounds for important tribal affairs . Through public powwows , cultural centers , and special events , tribes are not only making their cultures more accessible to outsiders , but also ensuring their traditions remain relevant in the contemporary age .
In effect , by monetizing cultural preservation , tribes have found a way to support cultural preservation programs , including language revitalization , traditional arts and crafts , and the aforementioned cultural centers . This approach ties together the necessity of economic sustainability and the invaluable asset of cultural heritage .
Renewable Energy : Embracing Sustainable Futures
Across the U . S ., numerous tribes are delving into the realm of renewable energy — harnessing the power of the sun , wind and water not only for environmental conservation but also to generate jobs , achieve energy independence , mitigate living costs , and drive bottom-line revenue .
Inextricably tied to their lands , tribes offer a unique perspective on environmental conservation .
The Alaskan Inuit communities have long been intimately connected to their environment , relying on the land and sea for their sustenance and cultural identity . In recent years , these communities have recognized the potential of renewable energy as a means to sustain their tribes , address energy challenges , and foster economic growth in remote regions of Alaska .
The harsh arctic climate and the remote locations of many Inuit communities make energy access a significant challenge . Historically , these communities have relied heavily on diesel generators for electricity , which are costly , environmentally damaging , and dependent on fuel deliveries . But now , many of these tribes , including the Akiak Native Community , are harnessing the power of the region ’ s rivers and streams for small-scale hydroelectric projects .
Already known for their environmental activism around the Dakota Access Pipeline , the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is working on a variety of renewable energy projects in the Dakotas . The tribe is among the first to establish its own public power authority , the Standing Rock Renewable Energy Authority ( also known as SAGE ), to own and operate all the energy production assets within their reservations .
SAGE ’ s plans include a 60-turbine wind farm , a Native-led public-private partnership to address plug-in electric vehicle barriers for tribal members in the Upper Midwest called Electric Nation , and a solar power project . In combination , SAGE and its projects work to ensure energy independence , protect the environment , and promote economic growth in the region for the tribe .
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