Montana lawmakers seek to make Native America a destination

While Montana might be known internationally for recreational jewels such as Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, Native Americans say the state needs to do more to develop and promote its vast tribal lands as tourist destinations.

Some lawmakers want the state to invest more into drawing visitors to places of historical and cultural importance to the state’s Indian tribes — not only to spark entrepreneurship but also help outsiders better understand Native Americans.

"Folks want to come, and they want to see Native American people, and see our culture, and learn about our history. I think that’s going to create income when they come flying in," said Democratic state Sen. Lea Whitford, who represents Browning and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. "It’s just going to increase the flow of dollars into the state."

By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN Associated Press

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