Darian Morsette, who served as the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara (MHA) Tribal Tourism director and president of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance (NDNTA), died last Dec. 13 at age 56. He posthumously received the Wade Westin Award in recognition of his contributions. He also was honored during a ceremony that included a drum tribute.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong presented the award on behalf of the Commerce Department and Destination Marketing Association of North Dakota to Morsette’s son, Kobe, who accepted it along with Morsette’s wife, Kirsten.

Fred Walker, global marketing manager with State Tourism in the Commerce Department, called Morsette a remarkable leader.

“His passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt by all of us who were fortunate enough to work with him. However, his work has left a last impact on tourism in North Dakota that will endure for years to come,” he said. “Darian wasn’t just a leader in our industry. He was a visionary who always looked for ways to bring people together. His passion for his work was only matched by his genuine care for those around him. Whether collaborating on a project or offering a kind word of encouragement, he made it his mission to lift others up and to create meaningful connections across a multitude of cultures.”

A drum tribute to late MHA tourism director Darian Morsette is offered during the North Dakota Travel Industry Conference Wednesday in the State Fair Center.

Morsette also is remembered for his cultural and community involvement, including his time as a basketball and boxing coach and mentor to youth. He volunteered on the North Segment Community Board, served as president of the North Segment Community Alliance Board and was treasurer for the 2024 Little Shell Powwow Committee. He studied at United Tribes Technical College, Minot State University and the University of Mary.

In 2016, Morsette co-founded the NDNTA, uniting representatives from the five tribes that share geography with North Dakota to promote and preserve their culture and history. Morsette also represented the MHA tribe on the American Indian Alaskan Native Tourism Alliance.

His leadership brought significant economic benefits to tribal communities and increased awareness of native cultures, stories and traditions, the Commerce Department stated. His numerous accomplishments included establishing the first Indian Relays, developing statewide and regional tours and building strong relationships with neighboring communities.

Even in his final days, Morsette remained committed to preparing his team for the future of tribal tourism. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide those who were fortunate enough to work with him, the awards information stated.