Alexandra Calloway-Nation
Hometown:
Glacier County, Blackfeet Nation, Montana
Connect: LinkedIn
Alexandra aspires to leave a positive and lasting impact on her host community, fostering sustainable economic growth while preserving Wind River Reservation's unparalleled beauty and cultural significance.
Adept at bridging diverse perspectives, Alexandra brings a unique blend of international insight and rural roots to the table. Growing up on the Blackfeet Nation along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front fueled her passion for addressing socioeconomic disparities and motivated her to study analogous global issues. After earning her master’s degree, Alexandra gained experience in finance and tech in NYC but was drawn back to her community amidst the 2020 pandemic where she refocused her career towards sustainable and impactful economic development consulting work.
Her professional journey includes leading a $5 million bottled water project for the Blackfeet Tribe, tackling unemployment and fostering economic self-sufficiency while promoting environmental sustainability. Alexandra sees economic development as a catalyst for community transformation, and her enthusiasm in becoming an ERC Fellow reflects this vision. As a change-maker, she aspires to drive innovative, resilient strategies that align with the ERC’s mission.
In the inaugural ERC cohort, Alexandra plans to contribute not only by addressing economic challenges at the community level but also by enhancing organizational guidelines for lasting impact. With a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and mentorship, she is eager to collaborate with like-minded change-makers, elevating her skills and actively shaping a fairer, more sustainable future.
ERC Project
Project Title:
Creating A Sustainable Ecotourism Model on Wind River Indian Reservation
Host Community or Region:
Wyoming
Host Organization:
Wind River Development Fund
In collaboration with the Wind River Development Fund, the project aspires to establish a sustainable ecotourism model on Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation. Encompassing 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness, the reservation offers unmatched opportunities for ecotourism, including fly fishing, hunting, climbing, and hiking. The Intertribal Tourism Summit identified the need for an aligned vision that expands ecotourism businesses while safeguarding tribal interests and the environment. As a crucial member of the collaborative team, the ERC Fellow will support building a comprehensive vision, developing a strategic plan, and coordinating the execution of the ecotourism project. The ultimate outcome is a well-established ecotourism model, delivering economic and financial benefits to the reservation, tribes, and enrolled members while carefully protecting tribal interests and managing sustainable tourism volumes. This initiative blends economic development with the preservation of indigenous culture and natural resources, ensuring a lasting impact on the Wind River Reservation.
Interested in supporting this project or learning more? Contact the ERC program team here.
