News story for The Arizona Daily Sun:
Tourists and Native American artisans of northern Arizona may soon be conducting more business together with the launch of the Northern Arizona Native American Culture Trail Web site — nanact.org.
“What we’re trying to do is build a bridge between visitors to this region and Native American culture, Native American art,” said Scott Neuman, the economic development program coordinator for the Coconino County Community Services Department.
The Web site, which has been a year in the making and is being launched today, will feature 18 trips tourists can take. The trips will send them along roadway paths filled with native treasures. Neuman said the trails will also direct visitors to many destinations in northern Arizona, including the Grand Canyon and many sites on the reservation.
Also on the Web site will be information about the 100 artisans and background about the region and the kinds of art featured.
Funding was provided by the Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor and the Employment & Training Administration.
“The potential for economic development amoung Native American women artisans is why we have provided initial funding for NANACT and its Web site,” said Jenny Erwin, the regional administrator for the Women’s Bureau, which provided $30,000.
Many organizations collaborated on the project, including the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Arizona Office of Tourism, Native Americans for Community Action, Navajo Nation Tourism, the Hopi Tribe, Rio Nuevo Publishers and Northern Arizona University.
“Tribal lands interest not only Arizonans, but also are a significant draw for domestic and international visitors,” said Dawn Melvin, the Native American tourism development manager for the Arizona Office of Tourism.
Neuman said that annually, tourists spend about $687 million in the state.
“But very little of that money actually touches native hands,” Neuman said.
Eunice Bennett, a native artisan said she expects the site to boost her business, which she conducts out of her home. Her work includes silver jewelry, stringing necklaces, dream catchers and handpainted picture frames. She said it is important for people to know the work is original and that NANACT helps to promote that.
“I like to sell my own work only, because that’s what art should be about,” Bennett said. “A lot of the tourists want to know who made it, and they should be told the right thing.”
NANACT was inspired by Handmade in America, a western North Carolina service connecting craft-makers since 1993. Thirteen other states have replicated the model.
A press conference launching the site to the public is today at 3 p.m. in Heritage Square.
Gean Shanks 