Senate Committee on Indian Affairs looks at COVID-19 and tourism
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Indianz.Com
• NATIVES ON CLUBHOUSE: Listening Room |
Join Indianz.Com
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is taking another look at the ways in which COVID-19 has impacted American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.
An oversight hearing on Wednesday afternoon focuses on the coronavirus and Native tourism economies. The committee will hear from federal officials and Native witnesses from the tourism sector, which took a significant hit when COVID-19 led to the closure of gaming facilities, businesses, museums and other enterprises in Native communities.
“As we emerge from the devastating impact of COVID-19, tourism to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism destinations has a bright future that lies in the more than one billion leisure travelers in the world, and the interest of domestic travelers and international visitors in the American Native cultures and what their communities offer— memorable and unique experiences, warm hospitality and unusual landscapes,” Sherry Rupert, Chief Executive Officer of the
American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, tells the committee in written testimony.
The oversight hearing takes place at 2:30pm Eastern, with witnesses appearing virtually rather than in person, due to the ongoing pandemic. The session will be broadcast on indian.senate.gov. The witness list follows:
Mr. Dennis Alvord [PDF: Testimony]
Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic Development
U.S. Economic Development Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC Mr. Anthony Rodman [PDF: Testimony]
Acting Director
Office of Indian Economic Development
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington, DC Mr. John De Fries [PDF: Testimony]
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hawai’i Tourism Authority
Honolulu, Hawaii Ms. Sherry Rupert [PDF: Testimony]
Chief Executive Officer
American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association
Albuquerque, New Mexico Mr. Russell Dick [PDF: Testimony]
President and Chief Executive Officer
Huna Totem Corporation
Juneau, Alaska
Previously, the committee heard from Native health experts on April 14. Witnesses explained how their organizations have been dealing with coronavirus, more than a year into the pandemic.
On April 28, the committee looked at Native education systems. The committee heard about the slow rollout of federal resources to Indian schools across the nation.
For those who can’t watch the webcast or for those who want to listen to the hearing together, Indianz.Com is hosting a room on Clubhouse, the audio-based platform. Anyone who wants to join Clubhouse can so do by following the Indianz.Com Club and setting up an account. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic Development
U.S. Economic Development Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC Mr. Anthony Rodman [PDF: Testimony]
Acting Director
Office of Indian Economic Development
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington, DC Mr. John De Fries [PDF: Testimony]
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hawai’i Tourism Authority
Honolulu, Hawaii Ms. Sherry Rupert [PDF: Testimony]
Chief Executive Officer
American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association
Albuquerque, New Mexico Mr. Russell Dick [PDF: Testimony]
President and Chief Executive Officer
Huna Totem Corporation
Juneau, Alaska
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Notice
Oversight Hearing “Examining the COVID-19 Response in Native Communities: Native Tourism Economies One Year Later” (May 12, 2021)
Note: Thumbnail photo from Huna Totem Corporation in Alaska.

Advertisement
Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
Native America Calling: Live from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians powwow
Montana Free Press: Tribes hit with marijuana grow limits
Matthew Fletcher: U.S. Supreme Court disrupts criminal justice in Indian Country
Cronkite News: U.S. Supreme Court ruling called a ‘disaster’ for Indian Country
Native America Calling: Streaming Native stories
‘Oklahoma’s sovereignty and jurisdiction’: Outgoing Republican attorney general claims victory in U.S. Supreme Court case
‘A direct assault on tribal sovereignty’: Lawmaker calls for action to address U.S. Supreme Court ruling
‘An increase in violence against Native victims”: NIWRC raises alarms about U.S. Supreme Court decision
‘An attack on tribal sovereignty’: Tribal organizations respond to U.S. Supreme Court ruling
Crystal Echo Hawk: U.S. Supreme Court part of ‘anti-Native, anti-woman war’ across the country
Choctaw Nation weighs in on U.S. Supreme Court ruling in tribal sovereignty case
U.S. Attorneys vow to ‘enforce federal law in Indian Country’
Republican governor celebrates victory in U.S. Supreme Court case
Cherokee Nation Chief: U.S. Supreme Court ‘failed’ to honor promises to tribal nations
Muscogee Nation calls U.S. Supreme Court decision a ‘step backward’ for justice in Indian Country
More Headlines
Montana Free Press: Tribes hit with marijuana grow limits
Matthew Fletcher: U.S. Supreme Court disrupts criminal justice in Indian Country
Cronkite News: U.S. Supreme Court ruling called a ‘disaster’ for Indian Country
Native America Calling: Streaming Native stories
‘Oklahoma’s sovereignty and jurisdiction’: Outgoing Republican attorney general claims victory in U.S. Supreme Court case
‘A direct assault on tribal sovereignty’: Lawmaker calls for action to address U.S. Supreme Court ruling
‘An increase in violence against Native victims”: NIWRC raises alarms about U.S. Supreme Court decision
‘An attack on tribal sovereignty’: Tribal organizations respond to U.S. Supreme Court ruling
Crystal Echo Hawk: U.S. Supreme Court part of ‘anti-Native, anti-woman war’ across the country
Choctaw Nation weighs in on U.S. Supreme Court ruling in tribal sovereignty case
U.S. Attorneys vow to ‘enforce federal law in Indian Country’
Republican governor celebrates victory in U.S. Supreme Court case
Cherokee Nation Chief: U.S. Supreme Court ‘failed’ to honor promises to tribal nations
Muscogee Nation calls U.S. Supreme Court decision a ‘step backward’ for justice in Indian Country
More Headlines