Supporting the Tribal Communities in Seattle

Visit Seattle expresses their commitment to culture by honoring and celebrating the rich diversity of cultures in Seattle.

Among the numerous cultures they highlight, some noteworthy ones include Black, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Native Hawaiian, as well as various Asian and Hispanic communities. Throughout the year, they integrate stories about the diverse communities and business owners into their ongoing earned media efforts and media itineraries.

Honoring & Celebrating Diverse Communities

Visit Seattle is ongoingly involved with the tribal communities to forge authentic relationships with Indigenous communities, honor the land, and support Indigenous cultures. Several examples have been highlighted to us by the Visit Seattle team:

Native American Heritage Guide

The Native American Heritage Guide is a print and online publication by Visit Seattle. This guide features tribal museums, cultural centers, and public places of significance in the region, offers important historical and present-day information about indigenous peoples, and is produced with review by local tribal representatives to ensure accuracy and sensitivity. Visit Seattle also created and hosts a page to inform visitors and residents.

Tulalip Tribes

The Tulalip tribes have been traveling with Visit Seattle as a partner in various sales missions for over 15 years. These activations have included participation in the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW, the world’s largest annual travel trade event. Visit Seattle has also sent over 36 new business leads to Tulalip so far [in 2023].

Welcoming Polynesian Voyaging Society/Hokule’a to Seattle

Visit Seattle was instrumental in connecting the Polynesian Voyaging Society/Hokule’a with Suquamish and Muckleshoot tribes and worked closely with the Port of Seattle and Friends of the Waterfront to help welcome the Native Hawaiian canoe at Pier 62 as part of the multiyear canoe journey highlighting the value of Indigenous knowhow to fight climate change. There were more than 2,000 people in attendance at the event.

Highlighting Native Art

Eighth Generation, a Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe that sells work designed 100% by Native artists from the US and Canada, is an active partner of Visit Seattle. Visit Seattle's PR team is currently planning a media event in NYC that will be done in partnership with them and a Native artist in the fall of 2024 to create a platform to talk about authentic Native art and the importance of supporting and not appropriating.

Northwest Trolls & Tribes

Visit Seattle is an active partner/sponsor of the Northwest Trolls project and encouraged the integration of Northwest tribal representatives and artists. This ambitious public art project is presented by Scan Design Foundation, whose mission is to support Danish-American relations with a focus on environmental sustainability. The Muckleshoot and Snoqualmie tribes have been actively involved. The recent Lincoln Park troll dedication featured the Muckleshoot tribe, artist Coyote, and his canoe family.

Forging New Partnerships

Visit Seattle also has partnered with Salish Lodge which is tribe-owned and currently establishing a new relationship with the Muckleshoot Casino Resort. Other Visit Seattle partnerships include the Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve, and the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.

Promoting Native American Experiences

Visit Seattle’s media itineraries include meaningful Native American experiences (past and present). This might include shopping at Eighth Generation, visiting and eating at restaurants owned by Indigenous People or places that are open to the public (like cultural centers, public art or other museums).

The Destination Effect is a joint initiative by Destinations International and Tempest. To share your destination's success story, please email join@destinationeffect.com.