ALBANY – The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will receive a federal grant of $857,199 to promote tourism in Upstate New York through the expansion of employment and tourism activities under the Akwesasne Travel Program , the tribe and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced in separate statements.
The two-year grant is funded by the $100 million available in grants through the American Rescue Plan’s Native Communities Program. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is located in the Hogansburg area of Franklin County. The funds will support the Akwesasne Travel program through tourism-specific training, technical assistance to small businesses and product testing.
“Our region is rich in culture and history and this grant will allow us to continue to share these vibrant community resources by investing in local business development and building our capacity within Akwesasne Travel,” said James Lazore, Director division of the tribe within its economic development office. , said Wednesday.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo said tribal communities were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, so the investment will provide the infrastructure needed to develop cultural tourism for the tribe. and create jobs for its members.
The project will fund three new full-time tourism positions to develop new cultural experiences, provide more business support to tourism partners, and engage with regional partners and the travel industry.
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe executive director Tsiorasa Barreiro said the grant was very competitive.
“The scholarship is the culmination of the tourism team’s efforts to help support Akwesasne’s business community, local artisans and cultural resource organizations. like the Akwesasne Cultural Center and Museum and the Native North American Traveling College,” Barreiro said.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe launched their Akwesasne Travel program after receiving a $2 million federal grant in 2016. The program includes three immersive cultural tours led by community experts who share history, culture, art and local Akwesasne cuisine.
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