Keynote Session: Destination Original Indigenous Tourism Panel 

Join us for an insightful and forward-thinking discussion on the Destination Original Indigenous Tourism. Leaders from AIANTA, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, and New Zealand Maori Tourism will provide updates on the future of this groundbreaking initiative. This innovative organization aims to unify the collective voice of Indigenous peoples worldwide.

In this panel session, we will examine Indigenous tourism standards from each country and discuss the need to establish guidelines for Destination Original-marked experiences. This ensures that travelers can immediately recognize and trust they are receiving an authentic Indigenous experience. Additionally, we will discuss the goals of the newly formed organization and explore the future of Indigenous travel across the globe.

AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe) has nearly two decades of executive-level
experience managing and promoting Native American tourism. As CEO of the only national
association dedicated to Indigenous tourism, she is the leading voice when it comes to
advocating for travel and tourism as a significant economic driver in tribal nations. She also
holds leadership positions on various national boards including the Board of Directors for the
U.S. Travel Association and more. Under her leadership, she launched the Economic Impact of
U.S. Indigenous Tourism Businesses, the first-ever ever study of its kind. Prior to assuming the
role of CEO, she served as President of AIANTA’s Board of Directors since 2012. During that
time, she was instrumental in working with Congress to pass the Native American Tourism and
Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act.

Keith Henry is a Métis person who was born in Thompson, Manitoba and raised in Prince Albert,
Saskatchewan. He has become an international Indigenous cultural tourism leader receiving
recognition as the former CEO for Indigenous Tourism Association of British Columbia (ITBC).
Henry spearheaded the growth of authentic Indigenous tourism in Canada as he worked to
redevelop the national Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada as elected chair when this
organization incorporated in April 2015. In October 2015 he took the full time role as the
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada’s CEO. He continues to be recognized across
Canada as one of the leaders in Indigenous tourism and has led many new initiatives including
the national strategy entitled “The Path Forward 2016-2021”, contributions to the development
of national standards on market readiness and authenticity, cruise industry opportunities.

Dale Stephens, the Kaitohu Rangapū Māori – Director Māori Partnership at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, champions Māori businesses on the global stage.With a background as a police inspector and extensive experience in HR, investment, and consultancy, Dale has guided government agencies and led as CEO in NZ and Asia Pacific. He has also served on numerous boards within te ao Māori and private business.

Dale and his wife Tarina (Te Atiawa) are proud parents of six. Dale holds academic accolades across various disciplines and continues his educational journey in Spanish.

Keynote Speaker: Erik Stegman, CEO, Native Americans in Philanthropy

Erik Stegman (he/him) serves as Chief Executive Officer of Native Americans in Philanthropy, a national organization advocating for stronger and more meaningful investments by the philanthropic sector in Tribal communities. Previously, he served as the Executive Director for the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute. He has held positions at the Center for American Progress on their Poverty to Prosperity team, as Majority Staff Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and in the Obama administration as a Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education. Erik began his career in Washington, D.C. at the National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center. He holds a J.D. from UCLA School of Law, an M.A. in American Indian Studies from UCLA’s Graduate Division, and a B.A. from Whittier College.

“The Heart Speaks” Keynote Speaker: Lora Ann Chaisson

We are thrilled to announce that Lora Ann Chaisson will be presenting the signature AITC closing keynote address, “The Heart Speaks” on Thursday, October 31. Lora Ann is the Principal Chief of the United Houma Nation (UHN) and a current resident of Pointe aux Chene, Louisiana. She is the UHN’s National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Delegate as well as the Southeast Regional Alternate Vice President to the NCAI Executive Committee. She is also the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association as well as a current member of the United States Department of Labor Native American Employment and Training Council. Chaisson is employed as the Vice President of Tribal Solutions Group. Her work with Tribal Solutions Group encompasses a variety of divisions with solution-based services in areas such as education, gaming, medical, and broadband/ communications specifically for tribal nations, entities, and enterprises. During her free time Chaisson enjoys teaching friends and family traditional Houma Indian basket-weaving, jewelry-making, and cooking.