§4354 Native American tourism and branding enhancement

Summary

Agency heads must help Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations share and protect their heritage, foods, traditions, history, and living cultures. They must support keeping local traditions alive, help create authentic and respectful visitor experiences, explain how Indigenous peoples connect to the nation’s identity, promote respect for cultural diversity, and sign agreements or public–private partnerships so domestic travelers at airports and international visitors at ports of entry are welcomed in ways that showcase and respect Native communities. When possible, grant programs run by the Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans, the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, or other agency heads may fund efforts to tell the story of Native Americans as the First Peoples, use arts and humanities to strengthen communities and local economies, and carry out these goals. The Advisory Council and the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents must work with tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and nonprofits to form long-term partnerships with non‑Smithsonian museums to share collections, exhibits, educational materials, and joint research that support tribal tourism.