Connection
6
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.
The downside of tourism
On the other hand, there are certain cases where tourism did not lead to economic development, and had bad consequences on tribal finances. For example, in the case of the Eastern Cherokees in North Carolina, they share their incomes with non-Indian corporations, which means that they get much less profit from the facilities. Also, the sudden growth of tourism in a certain area can imply further costs on alterations of tribal territory: building attractions, cultural centers, souvenir shops; providing facilities to hotels etc. The economy based on tourists may also result in the increase of prices of regular items that Native Americans need to purchase for their own inside the reservation: clothing, food, toiletries, etc. The expanses of services tourists may demand often exceed the income a reservation earns from tourism.
The choice to make
Considering the information mentioned above, it is a tough choice in many cases whether to let tourists enter the reservation, because the outcome may or may not be the same as expected. Nevertheless, most cases tribes still try it, as it can offer an opportunity to economic growth and cultural recognition. Here, probably the saying applies that doing something and failing is better than not doing anything and regretting it later.
Tourism
Dreamcatchers
Traditional Native American Pottery
Quechua Indians in traditional attire