And as we continue to follow the journey of the Mother Road on its 100th birthday it’s important to follow the tracks of the Indian roots of Route 66.
With the great American thoroughfare winding its way through more than 25 Tribal Nations.
Half of which, 1,372 miles, are native American lands
So, while we celebrate the neon diners and roadside attractions.
The American Indigenous Tourism Association is reclaiming the native American history of these lands through their A Sovereign Journey campaign.
On the right trail
From the Pueblos of New Mexico to the Hualapai Nation in Arizona and the 39 distinct Tribal Nations in Oklahoma.
The road is a gateway to a vibrant, modern Indigenous landscape.
With Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), CEO of the American Indigenous Tourism Association painting another picture.
‘For too long, our stories were treated as an afterthought or a marketing gimmick. The American Indigenous Tourism Association is proud to provide the tools for travelers to journey with intention.
‘Honouring the sovereignty and resilience of the Native Nations who remain the heartbeat of the Mother Road.’
And your Indian guides
With the centre of the initiative AIT’s guidebook, American Indians and Route 66 originally published for the 90th anniversary in 2016.
This comprehensive travel guide, created in partnership with the National Park Service is funded in part by the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.
It provides historical context on the road’s impact – both the economic opportunities and the challenges of land displacement – and offers travelers essential etiquette for visiting tribal lands.
Digital footpring
To support the centennial, AIT has launched dedicated digital resources to help travellers plan their Indigenous-focused road trip:
- Dedicated Route 66 Portal: Visitors can access a wealth of historical materials, trip-planning guides, and educational resources.
- Native American Travel App–Route 66 Map Initiative Designated Official Route 66 ACentennial Project: It does what it says on the tin.
While our Indian friends helpfully map out more.
- Destination Native America and Route 66 Interactive Map: The Destination Native America website (DestinationNativeAmerica.com), provides an interactive map to discover Indigenous-owned businesses, cultural centres.
- Route 66 Events: Discover ways to celebrate this road-tripping milestone with Only in Your State, the official publishing partner of the Route 66 Centennial.