Connection
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Tourism is one of the most popularly argued ways of connection between the Reservation and the outside world. It implies a very unique relationship between people in various ways. There are two main reasons why a Native American Reservation may open its gates to tourists: they see an economic opportunity in tourism or (and) they want to share their cultural heritage with the general public.
Sharing the heritage
Starting with the latter, there are many problems that may occur as a result of the cultural activity. Tourists generally expect to see what we call "attractions" in the reservations as a representation of local life, art, and spirituality. On the other hand, most of the Indians conduct an ordinary and relatively simple life inside the reservations. As a result of this clash of expectations, Native American communities often choose to invent "traditional activities" to make their reservation a more attractive touristic sight. This kind of "phony" folklore activity may increase the economic benefit of tourism in the area; however, it has major disadvantages.
One of these problems is that during the performance of these seemingly traditional attractions, indigenous people may lose their feeling of authenticity in their own culture; and this can result in serious emotional crisis of the individuals. By dressing up in colorful chief and princess garments and putting marks on pots that seemingly represent ancient ritual meaning (but in reality they just look good and are often made in Taiwan), real authentic Indian culture and spirituality becomes fractured by a fake Indian culture that was mostly shaped by tourist expectations. This way, it not only distorts the concept of Indian culture in the Indian itself, but also reinforces the cultural stereotype of Native Americans in the visitors, as well. Thus, instead of getting information about how Indians really live in the reservation and developing a sense of the real way of Indian culture, tourists often get the self-justification of a culture that they create for the Indians. In this regard, unfortunately, tourism is sometimes not successful at all in the purpose of sharing cultural heritage.
The economic opportunity
As it was mentioned previously, economic growth of the reservation takes also a great part in considering the possibility of letting tourists enter tribal territory. On the one hand, we have to admit that, so far, touristic activity did promote economic growth in the area and also offered an opportunity to maintain a sale of tribal artisan products not only outside of the reservation, but inside as well, this way creating a circulation of money within the community. Having a local market on the attractions organized for tourists, Native American artists and craftsmen can make money out of their cultural heritage, such as pottery, weaving, sculpture and painting. Tourists often question the authenticity of these products as many of them turn out to be imported from Asian countries and sold like souvenirs in local tourist shops. Although these products are not authentic, the profit Native Americans get by trading them is more remarkable than the money they gain with authentic products; thus, regardless where is was made it means financial benefit to the tribe in question. As Joan D. Laxson discovered in her study, many visitors who buy the products in Native American souvenir shops consider their action as a kind of charity, so if we look at the problem from this angle, it does not really matter whether products are authentic or not, they still support and feed American Indian families.
Tourism
Letchworth State Park