Native American Tourism of Wisconsin, an inter-tribal consortium, will sign an agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism today.

NATOW is receiving a two-year, $400,000 grant through Wisconsin Act 28. The tribes will use the money to promote tribal tourism, republish the Native Wisconsin magazine and develop a strategic plan.

"The tribes are very excited about this agreement, we have worked for months trying to get the final terms together,' said Cassie Molkentin, the chairwoman of NATOW. "This will allow us to bring on board an individual who can dedicate all their time to our tourism initiative."

"This partnership is a strong link between all Wisconsin tribes and the state of Wisconsin," added Molkentin, a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans. "In this tight economy we need to work harder to use our resources in a manner that will compliment all of Wisconsin’s tourism programs."

The Oneida Nation is hosting the signing agreement at 1pm today in the Ontario Room of the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center.