Collaborative Effort to Change the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Service Marker Logo

The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT) was designated by U.S. Congress in 2009. It spans approximately 1,200 miles from Montana’s Continental Divide to Washington’s Pacific Ocean. The Trail passes through the ancestral homelands of at least 20 federally recognized tribes, including the Colville and Swinomish Reservations. Administered by the U.S. Forest Service, the PNT offers scenic, historic, natural and cultural experiences, crossing diverse landscapes and seven national forests.

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) is working in partnership with the US Forest Service and Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA) to develop a new service mark logo design with significant input from Native American Indian Tribes. This new logo design will replace the current “thunderbird” design, which was developed without input from tribes or indigenous people. A goal of this project is to generate a new design that respects Pacific Northwest Indigenous cultures and accurately represents the Trail’s cultural and geographic diversity.

This project aligns with broader efforts to honor the historic and cultural significance of the lands along the Pacific Northwest Trail while promoting tribal tourism and economic empowerment through platforms like NativeAmerica.travel and the PNTA website. These efforts support conservation and sustainable tourism, ensuring tribal stories and cultural voices are authentically represented.

Indigenous Homelands Along the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT) traverses ancestral Indigenous lands, home to at least 20 federally recognized tribes. Oral histories and archaeological evidence reveal a continuous Indigenous presence in the region for over 15,000 years. The trail follows pre-contact and post-contact routes used by these communities, connecting western Montana to the Columbia Plateau and the Pacific Coast. Today, these Indigenous nations maintain active cultures, connections, and treaty rights in the areas along and surrounding the PNT.

Indigenous Perspectives of the PNT

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) is actively gathering Indigenous perspectives on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT) by engaging with tribal communities along the trail’s route. Through interviews, outreach, and consultations, AIANTA seeks to capture and elevate the voices of Native American tribes whose ancestral lands intersect with the PNT. This effort is aimed at ensuring that tribal histories, cultures, and contemporary views are integrated into the trail’s narrative and Service Mark Redesign Project, fostering a more inclusive and respectful representation. By gathering these insights, AIANTA aims to support both tribal tourism initiatives and the preservation of Indigenous heritage along the PNT.

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Indigenous Homelands Along the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT) traverses ancestral Indigenous lands, home to at least 20 federally-recognized tribes. Oral histories and archaeological evidence reveal a continuous Indigenous presence in the region for more than 15,000 years. The trail follows pre-contact and post-contact routes used by these communities, connecting western Montana to the Columbia Plateau and the Pacific Coast. Today, these Indigenous nations maintain active cultures and ties to the areas surrounding the PNT. The USDA Forest Service recognizes the importance of government-to-government consultation with these tribes regarding the PNT’s administration and management. This collaboration ensures that the trail’s management respects these lands’ cultural and historical significance.

Indigenous Perspectives of the PNT

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) is actively gathering Indigenous perspectives on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT) by engaging with tribal communities along the trail’s route. Through interviews, outreach, and consultations, AIANTA seeks to capture and elevate the voices of Native American tribes whose ancestral lands intersect with the PNT. This effort is aimed at ensuring that tribal histories, cultures, and contemporary views are integrated into the trail’s narrative and Service Mark Redesign Project, fostering a more inclusive and respectful representation. By gathering these insights, AIANTA aims to support both tribal tourism initiatives and the preservation of Indigenous heritage along the PNT.