Building First Nations Tourism

February-March 2004

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Frank Brown

Frank at WaveLength’s 1997 Kayak Festival.

Aboriginal Tourism has tremendous potential to address employment and economic needs within First Nations communities, but it will also help retain heritage and increase self esteem—particularly among youth.

If done properly, tourism can support First Nations aspirations for self-determination and reflect community social, land use planning, cultural, economic and employment goals.

Sectors within the tourism industry that potential operators can develop are transportation, accommodation, attractions, events & conferences, food & beverage, adventure tourism & recreation, and related tourism services.

But in order to realize this potential there are key challenges to overcome. Some First Nations communities lack the infrastructure and capacity to benefit from tourism and there are many obstacles that prevent opportunities from being realized.

The first step is education. Twenty years ago I completed a two year outdoor recreation management program, and while much has changed, much remains the same. Tourism education programming needs to be expanded, including:

• Tourism-related graduate programs
• Secondary school tourism career awareness and preparation programs
• Industry training and credentials such as skills certificates, on-the-job training, tourism apprenticeships, and nationally certified occupations.

The Native Education Centre in Vancouver is addressing the issue of Aboriginal tourism education and training by co-hosting a provincial forum February 6-7, 2004. The objectives of this forum are to share aboriginal tourism education and training developments, learn what First Nations and aboriginal operators see as the training gaps, and create preliminary recommendations for addressing the gaps.

Another step is strategic partnerships. Turning competitors into allies expands everyone’s capabilities and resources. Creating alliances allows operators to respond to intense and rapid change.

According to the Harvard School of Business five year economic analysis of sixty seven Native American tribes, it must be aboriginal institutions and communities that determine the most appropriate strategies to address community needs.

Accordingly, this year, Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia (ATBC) will complete a major tourism research and development study that will be an excellent planning tool for future strategic tourism planning and developments.

I have personally experienced the healing power of nature, the pride of cultural revival through canoe gatherings and the personal transformation of outdoor education programs. These serve to build personal and community skills and confidence. There is enormous potential in the tourism industry if we develop a work plan and then ‘work’ the plan.

© Frank Brown owns and operates SeeQuest Adventures in Bella Bella on the BC Central Coast and is providing tourism services through a partnership with BC Ferries ‘Discovery Coast’ run. He currently teaches aboriginal tourism at the Native Education Centre in Vancouver and is establishing an aboriginal tourism field school in collaboration with their Aboriginal Tourism Program. Frank has over twenty years of experience in community development, strategic planning and project implementation. SeeQuest was chosen to represent Canada as ‘Best case example for sustainable tourism-United Nations 2000’. He is now branching out to the Gulf Islands through strategic Coast Salish alliances. In the summer of 2004 he will erect the frame of a Heiltsuk Bighouse, the first in his community of Bella Bella in 150 years. Contact Frank at 250-245-2015 or frank.brown@community.royalroads.ca.

Editor’s Note: It is against the law to damage or remove ancient artifacts or remains, with large fines (ranging up to half a million dollars). Visitors are asked to show as much respect to antiquities as they would those of their own ancestors, and not to relocate or otherwise disturb or deface them. Efforts are now underway by many BC First Nations to repatriate their cultural artifacts, and even human remains, from museums and private collections around the world. For exceptional, world-class, First Nation exhibits, see the Royal BC Museum (www.rbcm.gov.bc.ca) and the Univeristy of BC’s Museum of Anthropology (www.moa.ubc.ca).