Celebrating excellence in Indigenous tourism, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) announced its annual award winners at a gala conference in Winnipeg last week. The International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC), held March 8-10, is the largest Indigenous conference in the world.

The 10th annual event, sponsored by WestJet, brings together delegates from the Canadian tourism industry, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, as well as representatives from global Indigenous tourism organizations for three days of inspiration and learning about Indigenous tourism issues and topics.

A highlight of the conference is the annual awards ceremony, which honours exceptional Indigenous leaders and Indigenous tourism experiences from two categories: ITAC’s national awards, available to anyone across Canada; and the Indigenous Tourism Manitoba awards, available to Manitoba-based nominees. Nominee businesses must be majority Indigenous owned/controlled and located within Canada.

“The winners represent an impressive and diverse group of Indigenous operators from coast to coast to coast that have successfully weathered several tough years – and continue to lead and thrive,” said ITAC president and CEO Keith Henry. “Each winner and finalist should be incredibly proud of their contribution to the ongoing success and growth of our industry.”

2023 Indigenous Tourism Awards winners include:

NATIONAL

Business Innovation: Dakota Dunes

Located on traditional Whitecap Dakota Unceded Territory, Dakota Dunes Resort & Casino is Saskatoon’s first full-service resort. The resort opened on Oct. 8, 2020, just before the second wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The resort’s success is thanks in part to Chief Darcy Bear’s determination to develop a world-class Indigenous resort. Despite the challenges, Dakota Dunes has established itself as one of the only hotels in Saskatoon area to achieve a perfect 5 of 5 TripAdvisor score. Traditional Dakota culture, values, alliance, and resilience are on full display at the resort.

Female Entrepreneur: Josée Leblanc, Atikuss Canada

Based in Uashat, Que., Josée Leblanc is an Innu businesswoman with a passion for uplifting Indigenous culture while offering a fair wage to female artisans. With this as a driving force, Leblanc founded Atelier-Boutique Atikuss. She’s also the designer behind their famous mukluks and offers manufacturing jobs to women from her Nation. Since its launch in 2016, Atikuss has garnered a spot on the world stage for its innovative work in Indigenous fashion and comfort.

Sustainability: Métis Crossing

Métis Crossing is Alberta’s premiere centre for Métis cultural interpretation, education, gatherings, and business development. A new partnership established by the Visions, Hopes and Dreams at Métis Crossing Wildlife Park provides an opportunity to regenerate an important grassland ecosystem. The partnership represents an important step towards reconciliation and to welcome the return of heritage Bison species to traditional Métis lands. The return of these animals is symbolic of the connection between Indigenous Peoples and the land on which their ancestors once hunted and lived.

Industry Leadership: Wikwemikong Tourism

Luke Wassegijig is the tourism manager at Wikwemikong Tourism on Manitoulin Island in Ontario; an organization that offers an array of authentic Indigenous experiences that reflect the cultural lifestyles and traditions of the Anishnaabek people of the Three Fires Confederacy – Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi. By transforming its operations and enhancing its products to meet visitor demand and promote cultural sustainability through its tour programs, Wikwemikong Tourism, and Luke Wassegijig continue to be industry leaders.

Provincial/Territorial Association: Indigenous Tourism Alberta

From the development of workshops, relationships, partnerships, and staff employment Indigenous Tourism Alberta has had its strongest year to date. Aside from seeing their membership skyrocket throughout the continued COVID-19 pandemic, ITA has expanded their team from four to 10 full time employees, bringing on an amazing and diverse team for Marketing, Development, Leadership and Partnership goals.

MANITOBA AWARDS

New Operator or Business: Prairie Berry, Jen Turenne

Prairie Berry first opened its gates in 2015 as a strawberry farm in rural Manitoba. It’s unique identity as an Indigenous-owned and fully bilingual business makes it one of a kind in the landscape of berry farms. In 2020, owner Jen Turenne began developing a farm to table dining experience. Throughout the process, she prioritized bringing Indigenous traditions to the forefront of these events, including the addition of bison and bannock to the menu along with offering hoop dancing and drumming.

Cultural Experience: Whiteshell Petroforms

On an outcropping of the ancient Precambrian shield sit carefully arranged rocks. Painted by decades of lichen and trimmed with moss, the figures hold the unmistakable shapes of turtles and birds, serpents, and humans. These are the petroforms of Whiteshell Provincial Park. The Whiteshell Petroform tours guide visitors on guided walks of the sacred site, sharing stories of the teachings and healings that continue to this day through ceremony and song.

Outstanding Staff Person: Dennis Daniels, Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre

Dennis Daniels from Peguis First Nation is an Executive Director at Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre. He was hired at the centre 45 years ago as a Curriculum Development Officer and has watched the centre develop and flourish over his time with the organization.

Business Development: Opaskwayak Cree Nation

Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) is taking bold steps to become the premier cultural destination for Indigenous tourism in Manitoba. More than a dozen new experiences and outfitters in the region saw significant development during the pandemic and most will be ready to launch in the near future, adding to an already robust line-up of tourism offerings in the area.