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Statewide, tourism is the fastest growing segment of the economy and for the western part of North Dakota, the next two years will see even faster growth as travelers follow the Lewis & Clark Trail during the commemoration. Forecasters expect the state's strong economic showing in the tourism industry will increase as a result of public interest in the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in 2003-2006 during which North Dakota will become a major destination. Further, in the wake of terrorist attacks and their impact on the public's view of airline safety, domestic automobile travel to areas such as North Dakota which are perceived as being "safe" may see a stronger increase than ever before. In addition, the European interest in Native American culture will provide another possible channel of development for rural areas. In preparing for the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, two of the nation's twelve signature events will be held in North Dakota. Showcasing the state's rich Native American culture, these two events are expected to draw large numbers of domestic travelers and international tourists particularly from Japan and Germany where interest in Native American culture is strong. But the road ahead is not smooth for this opportunity. Not all members of the Native American community support the tribe's efforts, feeling that the Lewis & Clark expedition is not an event to celebrate as it marks the beginning of the whites' near- destruction of their culture. The pow-wow event planned also has some worried. Some are afraid that visitors will not be respectful or that the event may be treated as a "Disneyland" style attraction without visitors attempting to understand the significance of the event. The planning of such a large scale event will tax the resources of this small community as the tribe builds an event that both interprets the historical significance of the Lewis & Clark expedition and celebrates the tribe's traditional life. It will require coordination with surrounding communities, with state and federal government including parks, transportation, agriculture and commerce departments, and with the Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, with thousands of visitors expected, the tribe must build the capacity to feed and house a larger influx of visitors than they have yet experienced. The infrastructure needed to serve visitors to the signature event must be planned so that it will be of lasting use when the event is over. North to the Mandan Nation will showcase how the state, tribe, and surrounding communities are cooperating to build successful new development in nature-based tourism. And by highlighting the state's natural beauty, this program will remind North Dakotans why this state is ripe for development as a tourism destination which capitalizes on the area's historic strengths. 7 January 13, 2003