Tourism takes to Alberta

Kahnawake Tourism headed to Alberta last week for the 13th edition of the International Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)’s annual conference, which brought together stakeholders in the tourism industry from Turtle Island and beyond for three days of learning and sharing in Treaty 6 Territory.

“These events bring us together to remind us that the work we’re doing is for our people and by our people, and that we’re in it together,” said Kahnawake Tourism’s tourism development manager Kimberly Cross. “The conference always feels like a big tourism family reunion.”

Last year, the ITAC conference was held in Montreal, in partnership with Kahnawake Tourism. More than 1,000 attendees came to the city, with workshops also taking place in Kahnawake for other industry leaders to learn more about the community and its tourism offerings.

This year, the conference was held in Edmonton, with delegates gathering under the theme “Come Walk With Us.”

Attendees participated in workshops surrounding topics like sustainability in tourism and how to build partnerships across communities – Cross said that the team at Kahnawake Tourism was particularly inspired by a session exploring artificial intelligence, which was led by Craig van der Merwe, a technical advisor at ITAC, and explored the social and cultural implications of machine learning platforms.

Bronwyn Johns, public relations officer at Kahnawake Tourism, said that she was impressed by the sessions on offer, and particularly enjoyed learning from tourism leaders who had travelled from Hawaii and from the Sámi Nation. One impactful conversation that came from those discussions was from a Hawaiian delegate, who talked about how to navigate tourism in the context of cultural appropriation, particularly when selling crafts that represent a community’s cultural identities.

“She really reiterated to listen to our gut and not overshare on our crafts, because of that issue with appropriation, she said it’s really good to get it right the first time so you don’t have to go back and fix things,” Johns said. “She said to get that community consultation, and also really get that support from the elders too.”

Johns said that the ITAC conference is always a special time with a supportive atmosphere, and one of her highlights was seeing Enoch Tourism win the Indigenous Destination Development Award. She remembers just a few short years ago meeting a representative from Enoch Tourism and giving her tips as the organization started out.

“It’s really exciting to see so many people supporting each other and bringing those voices to be heard through something that brings so many people joy, like travelling,” Johns said. “It’s really nice to just be able to celebrate everybody together.”

ITAC president and chief executive officer Keith Henry said the event was a huge success, with a strong turnout of more than 1000 delegates from 14 different countries – the most countries ever to be represented at an ITAC conference. It’s evidence, he said, that the conference is growing, which is a positive sign for the Indigenous tourism industry.

“We have a 2030 vision to make Canada the world-leading Indigenous destination, and we need everyone helping and pushing. What I see is that year after year we’re growing a little more, and that really inspires me,” Henry said. “I can see that commitment every year from everybody.”

As with the previous edition of the conference, an Indigenous Marketplace was established at the conference centre, giving delegates the chance to support Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs selling beadwork and more.

Groups also went on cultural tours of the area, with Kahnawake Tourism staff taking part in the “Teepees in River Cree” cultural tour on River Cree Enoch Territory, where they learned about teepee traditions and experienced a powwow showcase.

They also watched hoop dances by renowned hoop dancer James Jones, also known as Notorious Cree, and Kimberly, Charisma, and Nakiyah Mason, who make up the Mason Sisters, a hoop dancing trio from Fisher River Cree Nation.

The event was closed by singer-songwriter Tia Wood, who is Cree and Salish, at a closing ceremony that was one to remember.

Next year’s conference will be taking place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with ITAC making the decision to shift the conference to June, with the intention of making travel easier for delegates.

Johns said Kahnawake Tourism is already excited to see their tourism friends from across the world at next year’s conference.

“We’re always learning and we’re always growing, so these moments are really about just taking a step back and taking it all in,” she said. “There are so many opportunities that can come from taking your plate, sitting down at a table with somebody from another nation, and starting a conversation. The networking is priceless.”

[email protected]