Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Industry Engagement Regional … · 2018-02-07 · Manitoba Indigenous...

Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

300-3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC, V5R 5W2 1-604-639-4408 | [email protected] | www.indigenoustourism.ca

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Manitoba Indigenous Tourism

Industry Engagement Regional Sessions Summary

About

Travel Manitoba and Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on September 25th, 2017, with a commitment to grow Manitoba’s Indigenous Tourism sector. The MOU Work Plan lists partnership activities aligned with ITAC’s Five-Year Strategy pillars. As part of building leadership capacity, the work plan outlines “hosting regional industry engagement sessions” as an important first step to Indigenous tourism development in Manitoba.

Funding support for this priority in the MOU Work Plan was provided by Indigenous and Northern Affairs – Manitoba Regional Office, Travel Manitoba and ITAC.

Goals

1. To activate a series of Indigenous tourism industry engagement forums across Manitoba including First Nation communities, regional Metis associations and Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs and businesses, as well as economic development organizations and partners who will support the growth of Indigenous tourism.

2. To host five regional sessions in collaboration with Travel Manitoba.

3. To use the forums to highlight information about the opportunities for Indigenous tourism development and the support available for communities and entrepreneurs.

4. Lay ground work for a Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Association

5. Gather research and feedback from forum participants to better understand: a. The support needed to grow tourism in Manitoba b. Level of interest to support a Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Association c. Concerns/challenges for participants to growing their Indigenous tourism businesses.

Deliverables

Host 5 Indigenous tourism industry engagement sessions

Summary report of key issues discussed/heard at sessions.

Updated list of Indigenous tourism operators in Manitoba

Identify tourism champions representing each region.

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Logistics

ITAC in partnership with Travel Manitoba, worked to identify session locations and to develop invitation lists of Indigenous tourism businesses and entrepreneurs.

Target attendance at each session was 30 individuals.

Timeline for completion of the 5 sessions was October to November 2017

The five (5) Indigenous tourism industry engagement sessions were scheduled to be hosted in: Brokenhead First Nation, Dauphin, The Pas, Thompson and Winnipeg. Each of 63 First Nation communities and 7 regional Metis offices (affiliate offices of the Manitoba Metis Federation) were invited to participate in the regional sessions.

The locations were selected based on high community populations, common gathering places for Indigenous communities and in a variety of locations around the province. Initially ‘First Nation Tribal council’ affiliation was used to identify which community would attend which regional forum in the province based on Tribal Council meeting locations. The communities who are independent and not affiliated with a tribal council had been selected by geographical location and assumed convenience to the forum location. These locations were also selected with the understanding that communities with more complicated travel itineraries or more remote locations would choose the most convenient, not necessarily the one that was geographically closest.

Completed Regional Sessions Schedule

October 24th, 2017 Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Brokenhead Community Hall; 2 Bear Road

October 26th, 2017 Dauphin, Dauphin Friendship Centre, 210-1st. Ave. N.E.

October 30th, 2017 The Pas, Kikiwak Inn; Hwy 10

November 14th, 2017 Winnipeg, Indian & Metis Friendship Centre, 45 Robinson Street

Note: Thompson was identified for a session location in an initial list of 5 sessions and was scheduled November 2nd at the Mow We Tak Friendship Centre. However, due to low response to ITAC’s communications directly (phone and email) and indirectly (social media outreach) out to Indigenous communities, entrepreneurs and support organizations, the event was cancelled. Partners and participants at other forums indicated that this low level of response could be due to “planning exhaustion” as other tourism partners have been developing a northern Manitoba regional strategy and have reached out to these same contacts for engagement in recent months.

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Engagement Plan

The intended audience were Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous community representatives who are active in, or interested in, Indigenous tourism. In order to ensure attendance and engagement from First Nation & Metis community members invited to forums, information about the Industry engagement forum details was shared with band offices, Tribal Council Regional Offices, Political Territorial Organization such as: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakinak Inc. (MKO), Southern Chiefs’ Organization, and emailed to unlimited individuals and organizations like: First Peoples Economic Growth Fund, Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, Metis Economic Growth Fund, Louis Riel Capital Corp.

A simple registration form was used. The form collected general contact information, information about the community or business that the participant represented and information about the travel subsidies available. Travel subsidy was offered as priority to Indigenous tourism operators and Indigenous community representatives. Travel subsidy included road travel expense at 47 cents per kilometer, and a flight expense or hotel overnight where required. Those who required a night stay received an additional incidental per diem.

Communications

A Manitoba contact list was compiled during ITAC’s 2015 National Research project. This list was used in addition to a preliminary search of Indigenous businesses in Manitoba. This document has been updated to add new businesses and to eliminate those that are not longer active.

A Facebook group was created from the Indigenous Tourism of Canada Facebook page. Individual ‘events’ were made for each forum date and location. Group members were able to share the group with their networks and encourage others to attend.

A poster was created for marketing the event and was shared via email and social media. The online registration ‘Google form’ was included on the poster for people to register ahead of the event.

Other Engagement

The MKO Chiefs organization invited ITAC and Travel Manitoba to present during their Education Gathering on October 10, 2017. The event included more than 50 Chiefs as well as councillors and economic development officers. The presentation highlighted not only the upcoming regional sessions but also shared the importance of the other tactics listed in the MOU.

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Information Session Outcomes

Four forums completed in Manitoba with 89 participant feedback forms from October 24th to

November 14th, 2017. Despite best efforts, not every participant completed a feedback form. Some

businesses who sent more than one representative only completed one form.

Sessions opened with 30-minute networking sessions with morning refreshments. Lunch was provided

for all participants

Forum agenda included round table introductions, presentations from ITAC, Travel Manitoba, local

DMO’s, First Peoples Economic Growth Fund and Community Futures. Please see attached an example

of a regional session agenda.

The regional sessions assisted in achieving the following:

Identification of Indigenous tourism stakeholders and supporters who actively participated and

supported the project

o Travel Manitoba representatives

o Indigenous and Northern Relations

o University College of the North

o Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples Council

o Parks Canada – Riding Mountain National Park

o Anishinaabe Agowidiwinan

o Anishinaabe Youth Culture Camp

Identification of Indigenous tourism businesses, entrepreneurs and community representatives

interested in learning more about the opportunity of Indigenous tourism. These identified

businesses, organizations and individuals have been collected and recorded for future outreach

and communications regarding future events, projects and programs.

Active discussion with the participants identified key issues, concerns, opportunities and

support needs

A feedback form for the participants allowed for more specific and comparable data to be

collected

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General Themes by Session – Opportunities & Challenges

The regional session locations were researched and primarily selected to demonstrate outreach and industry engagement into the various geographic regions of the province. Going out into several more remote communities in Manitoba also allowed ITAC to better understand, record and review regional issues, topics and opportunities. Below is a summary of the feedback themes listed separately by regional engagement session.

Brokenhead, MB – October 24, 2017 - Brokenhead Community Hall

Opportunities

Outdoor Adventures: use of traplines, creating tours

Etiquette: Teaching guests about Indigenous events (example: 10 things to know about pow wow)

Education: true histories about Indigenous people; incorporation of language where possible.

Challenges

Lack of local leadership in industry

Technical support: training & guidance

Protection of culture & authenticity: control of product (limit appropriation)

Dauphin, MB – October 26, 2017 - Dauphin Friendship Centre

Opportunities Provide education on Treaty Engage youth Maintain positive open relationships to

create partnerships in Industry Evaluate community skills inventory Use “traditional” knowledge in

developing programming Awareness, reconciliation Create protocols in place for how to

work with partners Challenges Technical support: Financial literacy,

here/how to access capital, business training & guidance

Bringing together community to make tourism a priority

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The Pas – October 30, 2017 - Kikiwak Inn Opportunities

Outdoor Adventure

Events, cultural performances, festivals

Engage youth

Build on existing experiences (lakes, caves, fishing, birding, trails)

Create better access to existing services, experiences

Challenges

Technical support: financial literacy, where/how to access capital, business training & guidance

Bringing together community to make tourism a priority

Market-Ready Products

Supports message to leaders/community

Marketing: ‘how to’ and ‘what’ to market; how to tell a story related to culture, how to bring product to market

Winnipeg – November 14, 2017 - Indian & Metis Friendship Centre

Opportunities

Outdoor Adventure

Museum

Workshops in cultural training

Retail

Live events

Challenges

Need to be aware of business opportunities in parks, such as

Recreational hiking, mountain biking, community garden

Virtual Tourism, Territory tours

Marketing, ‘how to’ and ‘what’ to market; how to tell authentic story, how to bring to marketing, learn about success stories

Technical support: financial literacy, where/how to access capital, business training & guidance

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Summary of Data and Information Collected (by feedback forms)

Data Collected by session participant feedback forms received (89 total combined responses from 4 sessions)

Priorities identified for kinds of supported needed to grow Indigenous Tourism in Manitoba (Participants were asked to choose up to 2 boxes – top 5 in BOLD)

Marketing Support (39) 43.8%

Product Development (33) 37.1% Access to Finance (32) 36.0% Technical Support (23) 25.8% Tourism Service Training Skills (20) 22.5% Tourism Research (18) 20.2% Support from industry and Political Leadership (11) 12.4% Communications (2) 2.2% Need Provincial permission to enter bush (1) 1.1% Communications (internet) (1) 1.1% Business environment of bands/land use (1) 1.1% Networking/connections (1) 1.1% Development of cultural Indigenous Hotel (1) 1.1% Business skills/financial training (1) 1.1% Province Support (1) 1.1% Community Planning (1) 1.1%

12%

16%

16%

56%

NUMBER OF RESPONSES BY SESSION

Brokenhead - October 24,2017

Dauphin - October 26, 2017

The Pas - October 30, 2017

Winnipeg - November 14,2017

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Respondent opinion on kinds of tourism development that has the strongest potential for success (Participants were asked to choose up to 3 boxes – top 5 in BOLD)

Respondent opinion on issues to be better understood for growth in Indigenous Tourism (Participants were asked to choose up to 4 boxes)

Outdoor Adventure (69) 78.4% Workshops & Cultural Training (48) 54.5% Live events, festivals (34) 38.6% Lodging/Accommodations (28) 31.8% Wildlife Viewing (23) 26.1% Campground (20) 22.7% Museum or Cultural Centre (17) 19.3% Cultural experiences & immersion (8) 9.1% Retail, Gift Shop (7) 8.0% Restaurant, café, catering (6) 6.8% Casino, gaming (4) 4.5% Golf and/or Spa (2) 2.3% Real estate/land sovereignty (1) 1.1% Cultural Camps (1) 1.1% Land Based Cultural Education (1) 1.1% Immersion in culture, knowledge, ceremony (1) 1.1% FN Tribal Parks (1) 1.1% All-encompassing food, culture, storytelling (1) 1.1% Virtual Tourism (1) 1.1% Transportation (1) 1.1%

Access to business capital (31) 37.3% Lack of community infrastructure (27) 32.5% Indigenous youth career opportunity (27) 32.5% Understanding tourism (26) 31.3% Business plan, start up assistance (26) 31.3% Lack of Indigenous Cultural experiences (26) 31.3% Tourism training and capacity development (25) 30.1% Support from community leadership (19) 22.9% Indigenous leadership for industry (19) 22.9% Importance of partnerships (19) 22.9% Commitment to authenticity and protocol (17) 20.5% Growing and maintaining reputation in industry (11) 13.3% Indigenous staff, retention (7) 8.4% Opportunities for information on tourism (6) 7.2% Ideas being exhausted in communities (1) 1.2% Land based videos (1) 1.2% Public perception of FN (1) 1.2% Lack of awareness of cultural events (1) 1.2%

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Regional Session Participant Breakdown (by type of attendee)

Participants by Tourism Region Four sessions were delivered based on the geography of Manitoba, participants were given the option to attend a session that was most convenient (access to the meeting, weather restrictions etc).

29%

29%

18%

11%

8%5%

PARTICIPANTS BY MB TOURISM REGION

Winnipeg

North of 53

Eastern

Interlake

Western

Parkland

45%

25%

12%

9%

9%

TYPE OF PARTICIPANT

Indigenous Community

Indigenous Entrepreneurs

Non-Indigenous TourismOperators

Economic DevelopmentAgency

Government

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Other Key Feedback Takeaways

Project Expenditures

This project was supported with funds from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Travel Manitoba and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. Total actual costs of the regional sessions: $58,837.69.

97.6%

of participants indicated they would support the development of an

Indigenous-led, industry focused Indigenous tourism

association of Manitoba.

85% of the respondents rated the overall content of the

forum as 8 out of 10 or higher

100%

of the respondents indicated that they

recommend ITAC & TM Indigenous tourism sessions to others

Approved Travel Manitoba ITAC INAC Line Total

Regional Forum Participant Travel $53,000.00 $14,051.79 $2,185.83 $14,988.58 $31,226.21

Regional Forum Meeting Elders $3,000.00 $225.00 $35.00 $240.00 $500.00

Regional Forum Meetings - Facilities & Meals $7,900.00 $1,976.17 $307.40 $2,107.91 $4,391.48

Regional Forum Communications $4,000.00 $1,800.00 $280.00 $1,920.00 $4,000.00

Regional Coordinator $15,000.00 $5,147.04 $9,852.96 $15,000.00

Administration $12,435.00 $1,800.00 $1,920.00 $3,720.00

TOTAL $95,335.00 $25,000.00 $12,661.20 $21,176.49 $58,837.69

TOTAL Everything $58,837.69

*Note: Reconciled as of December 6, 2017

DRAFT - Expenses ITAC MB Regional Tourism Engagement Sessions*

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Next Steps

The regional sessions were the first of several tactics outlined in the MOU between ITAC and Travel Manitoba until 2020. Manitoba has an opportunity to further organize their support.

Steps towards a provincial Indigenous tourism organization for Manitoba: 1. Identify an advisory committee or working group who can drive the process forward and

perform as provincial organizational leaders

2. Complete necessary legal and administrative responsibilities

3. Develop a strategic plan for organization in alignment with ITAC’s Five-Year Strategy

4. Identify and confirm funding available.

5. Begin developing a business/operational plan for the organization

Summarized below are the next steps and key milestones to grow and support Indigenous tourism development in Manitoba.

Date Activity / Milestone

December, 2017 Recommendations reviewed for MB Advisory Committee members

January, 2018 Planning meeting Travel Manitoba / ITAC

February, 2018 Inaugural working group meeting in Winnipeg

May, 2018 Manitoba Summit – Indigenous Tourism in MB, The Path Forward

Spring to Fall 2018 International Marketing Programs – Guidebook, Packaging, Itineraries

Spring 2018 Training and Capacity Development Programs

Fall 2018 Product Development Micro-Grant Funding Program

Summer-Fall 2018 Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Assoc. Strategic Plan & Business Plan

Fall-Winter 2018 Preliminary planning for 2019 Int’l Indigenous Tourism Conference

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Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) Industry Engagement Regional Sessions

November 14, 2017 Winnipeg, Manitoba

9:00 am Coffee, Meet & Greet

9:30 am Welcome – Jessica Dumas – Regional Coordinator, ITAC

Opening Prayer – Community Representative Elder

Housekeeping, Review Agenda, Intros – Jessica Dumas

10:00 am Manitoba Context – Jeff Provost – ITAC Director Manitoba

Aboriginal Tourism Assoc. of Canada – Keith Henry - CEO ITAC

Feedback, Thoughts, Questions

11:00 am Break

11:20 Travel Manitoba - Colin Ferguson – CEO Travel Manitoba

Feedback, Thoughts, Questions

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch - Indigenous Tourism Business Operators

1:00 pm Group Discussion: Feedback form #13: What types of Indigenous tourism

opportunities are in demand and considered for growth in Manitoba?

1:15pm Group Discussion: Feedback form #14: What are the most significant forms of support needed to grow Indigenous tourism in Manitoba?

1:30 pm First Peoples Economic Growth Fund - Tom Thordarson, Senior Loans Manager

Indigenous Business Development Services – Deborah Smith, Coordinator, Community Futures

World Trade Centre Winnipeg – Derek Earl, Vice President

2:00 PM Feedback form #15: What are some issues, challenges in order to move forward in growing Indigenous tourism?

2:15-3:30 pm Questions, last comments, Closing

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List of Participants

Brokenhead Ojibway Nation

Name of participant Organization/Business name

Aaron Rose SigFusson, BBE, Kiewit

Angela Retrash Brokenhead Ojibway Nation Gov't

Armand Jerome Jerome Cartwork

Brenda Morrisseau Sagkeeng Government

Carl Smith Sky Wind Tours

Donna Marion Boreal Shores Art Tour

Donna Sais Sagkeeng Anicinabe Government

Dwight Swampy local Trapper, fishermen, hunter

Eugene Wood St. Theresa Point First Nation

Jenny Dupas Eastman Tourism

Kelly Jerome Jerome Cartworks

Ken Alexander Sagkeeng Anicinabe (Fort Alexander)

Lindsey Otto Community Futures Winnipeg River

Tanis Thomas Boreal Workshop

Dauphin - List of Participants


Jason Gobeil Brandon Urban Aboriginal People's Council

Dillon Shingler Indigenous & Northern Relations

Brett Smith Parks Canada - Riding Mountain National Park

Jimmy Chartrand Skownan First Nation

Boh Kubrakovich Anishinaabe Agowidiwinan

Desmond Mentuck Riding Mountain National Park

Herman Mentudc Anishinaabe Youth Culture Camp

Les Campbell Parks Canada

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Vernin Catcheway Skownan First Nation

Dwayne Blackbird Riding Mountain Area

Lisa Noctor Brandon Tourism / Brandon Riverbank Inc.

The Pas – List of Participants


Jania Seto University College of the North (UCN)

Tyrone Caribou University College of the North (UCN)

Mary Caribou Mathias Colomb First Nation

Nicole Hartman The City of Flin Flon

Karen Mackinnon City of Flin Flon

Benjamin Grey Kikiwak Inn

Sheldon Bourassa Chemawawin

Alan Mclauchlan Rocky Lake Birchworks

Krystte Robinson University College of the North

Toby Bear University College of the North

Terry Bear University College of the North

Edna Nabess Cree Ations + Artist Showcase

Rhonda Head The Pas - Community member

Kim Ballantyne Destination Marketing Visitor's Centre

Winnipeg – List of Participants


Shirley Castel Mathias Colomb Band

Judy Wilson Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Edward (Sonny) Albert The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports + Recreation Council

Sylvie Foidart CDEM

Nicole Verin Assiniboine Park Conservancy

Jennifer Ford Canadian Ecotourism Services (CES)

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Eric J. Bear Cochrane Bear Consulting Inc.

Larry Whiteway Beaver River First Nation

Morden Everett B.R.F.N

Joe Lanceley Tipi Joe Creations

Tom Thordarson First Peoples Economic Growth Fund

Heather Hinam Second Nature Adventures in Discovery

Lori Slobodian Red River College

Fred Muskego Molson Lake Lodge

Sarah Ferrari Tourism Winnipeg

Graham Harvey Brandon First

Sharon Pelletier Manitoba Indian Education Association Inc.

Daryl Red Sky Kekekoziibii Development Corporation

Lindsay Bunn Birdtail Sioux First Nation

Helgi Einarsson Einarssons Guide Service & Cabins

Kim Milne Frontiers North Adventures

Jamie Harper St. Theresa Point First Nation

Lon Moodie NCN Cree Nation

Gail McDonald Interlake Tourism Assoc. / Hospitality Plus Tourism Training

Ed Vyatrcil Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation

Edward Primrose Nelson House Fisherman's Association / Nelson House Trappers Association

Devon Ballantyne Misipawistik Cree Nation

Amanda Karst TNC Canada

Vania Gagnon Le Musée de St. Boniface Museum

Adam N. Nepon 7412207 MB Ltd

Cindy Desroches Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum

Georges Beaudry Oroseau: The rapids / Les rapides

Chris Maxfield Indigenous Travel Intl

Adrian Alphonso Manitoba Cycling Association / Coaching

Randy Councillor Peguis Development Corporation

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Juanita Neawit Peguis Development Corp

Patrick Mckay Peguis Development Corp

Katie Daman Community Futures Manitoba

Norman Meade U of M Fort Garry

Thelma Meade Aboriginal Senior Resource Centre

Marilyn Tanner Teekca's Boutique

Patty Sinclair Pinaymootang First Nation

Ramona Cook Birdtail Sioux First Nation

Tara Stefansson Lazy Bear Expeditions

Catherine Linklater Pukatawagan

Robert Caribou MCCNC

Leona McIntyre MB Growth, Enterprise + Trade

Laura Finlay North Central Development

Anthony Niiganii North End Youth / North End Community Renewal Corporation

Joshua Sinclair Bay River Inn & Suites

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Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Industry Engagement Regional … · 2018-02-07 · Manitoba Indigenous...

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