The ReMembering and ReEnchanting Podcast
Conversations
Conversations with amazing people connecting what is all too often disconnected
In this episode of The ReMembering and ReEnchanting Podcast with host Sara Jolena Wolcott and guest Dr. Alexis Bunten, we:
Start with history, the colonial gaze, and its impact on today's tourism and travel ‘explorations’
Look at the dangers of "Disneylandification"
Consider both 'sides' (the tourist and the native) experience of cultural tourism
Go into some basic (but often not followed) things to consider when you are the one doing the tourism/traveling
Alexis gives some suggestions for native-led tourist organizations
Timestamps:
1:37 - Introduction to Alexis Bunten
5:48 - What Alexis learned from tracing the history of tourism and how she sees those histories shape tourism today
15:50 - What’s the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation?
19:08 - What does it mean to “Explore”?
24:03 - Disneylandification vs. Deep Cultural Learning
29:44 - Tourism today vs. tourism 20 years ago.
46:38 - How can people engage in the native-owned tourist experience?
55:00 - How can tourist guides facilitate visitors in connecting with the local culture?
Music Title: Both of Us
Music by: madiRFAN
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Dr Alexis Bunten (Unangan/Yup’ik) is a Co Director for Bioneers' Indigeneity Program and a deep thinker and influencer in tourism, especially cultural tourism. She's worked extensively in the tourism industry, gotten her Ph.D. in cultural tourism in Alaska, and has been consulting for Indigenous-led startups as well as established businesses. Her 2015 book, “So, how long have you been Native?” Life as an Alaska Native Tour Guide” won the Alaska Library Association Award for its originality and depth. In 2018, she followed that book with a global Indigenous tourism anthology titled, “Indigenous Tourism Movements.” Her work has received multiple awards.
Join Bioneers in their next gathering on March 28-30, 2024 in Berkeley, CA
