A Good Word About Us

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The tale of Good Words Travel begins on the journey with Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW), a state-wide initiative dedicated to showcasing and marketing the tourism assets of Wisconsin’s Tribal Nations. Comprising representatives from all 11 sovereign tribes in the state, NATOW aims to uplift and promote the rich cultural heritage of these communities.

At the helm of NATOW stood Apache Danforth, who served as the Executive Director (ED) from November 2016 to December 2019. Prior to taking on this role, Apache had already demonstrated her commitment to the cause by contracting with NATOW to organize their annual tourism conference. Simultaneously, Cheyenne Landru, a representative NATOW board member from the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, played a crucial role during this period. Together and separately, Apache and Cheyenne traversed the lands, visiting each of the 11 tribes. They immersed themselves in numerous meetings, tourism training seminars, conferences, and travel shows of varying sizes. Their dedication to promoting Native American tourism was unwavering, and they left no stone unturned to support the cause. Apache eventually ventured into the for-profit sector, but she vowed to return to Native tourism someday. On the other hand, Cheyenne continued holding the position of Tribal Gaming Commissioner and she also took on the role of the primary caregiver to her mother. Then Covid-19 happened.

The pandemic brought unforeseen challenges and like many others, Apache found herself jobless, without clients. Meanwhile, Cheyenne, amidst her various roles, found herself working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic, as she diligently wrote new codes and policies for her Tribe’s gaming operations. Both women recognized the potential detrimental impacts of Covid-19 on their communities. At that time, the prospect of reviving tourism seemed distant, as the entire world grappled with the consequences of a global shutdown.

Fast forward to the present, and the narrative takes an inspiring turn. Apache has emerged as an independent PR/communications consultant, simultaneously running a small carpet cleaning business with her daughter. Cheyenne, still a dedicated caregiver, has also embraced the roles of an independent insurance agent and the Director of Education for her Tribe. Despite their diverse roles and responsibilities, both women share a common passion for Native tourism. 

The challenges of the pandemic may have altered their paths, but Apache and Cheyenne are now eager to reenter the Native tourism industry. Their resilience and commitment stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of individuals dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural treasures of Native American communities.