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I've often wished for a central location for learning how and when to visit tribal reservations respectfully (i.e. not merely being a bumbling tourist gawking a

I've often wished for a central location for learning how and when to visit tribal reservations respectfully (i.e. not merely being a bumbling tourist gawking at people's homes and such). I'm back to traveling full-time, and will be passing through tribal lands across New Mexico and Arizona in the next few weeks. It'd be cool to be able to learn more about tribal history in person, but it's surprisingly hard to find the right ways to go about it (the web presence of tribes is not always strong!). Sometimes, there will be native history museums in larger cities, and I visit those every chance I get, but that's also often far-removed from reality. Hopefully, that kind of thing might find its way into this project...or maybe a new project will spin up to tackle it. Regardless, I think it'd be really valuable. So many folks live within a few hour drive of tribal lands, and yet I doubt most people ever visit (except to gamble or buy cheap cigarettes or alcohol) or go to the trouble to learn anything about the history or culture.

rdtsc 11y ago
It depends on the tribe. A family member visited a friend on a Navajo reservation a few years back. It was a flight to some rural airport then a long drive. In general the advice is if you want to see how people live, it is best to know someone. Some places are prohibited to go into if you are by yourself. Also, as you might imagine you might not like everything you see you there. The beauty of the terrain was stunning, but a lot of issues like poverty, drugs, drinking and such (even though alcohol I understand is prohibited on the reservation, there are places selling it around the border).
- SwellJoe 11y ago
  Which is why I was wishing for information about the right ways to do it. There are several native nations in Alaska that are pretty friendly to visitors, for example, and provide some information at small visitor centers, or just on signs at border crossings, about things to do and places to visit within the territory, which is cool. Unfortunately, it is mostly about hunting and fishing, which I don't do (vegetarian on ethical grounds), but it was still nice to know when and where I was welcome to travel without causing offense, and where my tourist dollars would be appreciated. Talking to locals who were out fishing (it was salmon season) was cool. I never want to be the asshole tourist who assumes everyone wants to cater to my whims, but I also know that many folks enjoy showing new people how they live and explaining their history (while maybe making a few extra bucks as a tour guide or similar). If I had a way to find those folks and those places, that'd be awesome.

rdtsc 11y ago

It depends on the tribe. A family member visited a friend on a Navajo reservation a few years back. It was a flight to some rural airport then a long drive. In general the advice is if you want to see how people live, it is best to know someone. Some places are prohibited to go into if you are by yourself. Also, as you might imagine you might not like everything you see you there. The beauty of the terrain was stunning, but a lot of issues like poverty, drugs, drinking and such (even though alcohol I understand is prohibited on the reservation, there are places selling it around the border).

SwellJoe 11y ago
Which is why I was wishing for information about the right ways to do it. There are several native nations in Alaska that are pretty friendly to visitors, for example, and provide some information at small visitor centers, or just on signs at border crossings, about things to do and places to visit within the territory, which is cool. Unfortunately, it is mostly about hunting and fishing, which I don't do (vegetarian on ethical grounds), but it was still nice to know when and where I was welcome to travel without causing offense, and where my tourist dollars would be appreciated. Talking to locals who were out fishing (it was salmon season) was cool. I never want to be the asshole tourist who assumes everyone wants to cater to my whims, but I also know that many folks enjoy showing new people how they live and explaining their history (while maybe making a few extra bucks as a tour guide or similar). If I had a way to find those folks and those places, that'd be awesome.