Riding Mountain Tourism Summit

Hosted by: Indigenous Tourism Manitoba and Turtle Village
Date: September 5-6, 2024
Location: Danceland, Wasagaming

Join us for the Riding Mountain Tourism Summit, where we will explore the future of Indigenous tourism. This two-day event aims to inspire, connect, and inform all attendees about the opportunities in the tourism sector!

Summit Highlights:

• Inspire Indigenous Participants: Discover how to start a tourism business or pursue a career in the tourism industry.

• Build Connections: Foster relationships between Clear Lake area tourism operators and Indigenous communities in neighboring First Nations.

• Increase Awareness: Learn about the value of tourism, business development opportunities, employment prospects, and available funding programs.

• Generate Ideas: Contribute to discussions on new business ideas or events for 2025 and 2026.

AGENDA

Day 1:

12:00 PM: Opening Remarks & Land Acknowledgement – Holly Courchene
12:10 PM: Blessing – Edna Nabess
12:30 PM: Buffet Lunch

12:40 PM: Indigenous Tourism Growth in Canada – Keith Henry or Teresa Ryder, ITAC

• Personal stories and progress in the last 5 years
• Value of Indigenous tourism in Canada
• Destination Original Campaign

1:30 PM: Indigenous Tourism in Manitoba – Doreen Booth and Darcie Guarderas

• Personal stories and the importance of the Indigenous Tourism Strategy for Manitoba
• Value of Indigenous tourism in Manitoba
• Funding supports available

2:00 PM: Panel Discussion – Establishing a Successful Indigenous Tourism Business

• Ashley Smith, Turtle Village
• Edna Nabess, Principal Designer, Cree-Ations
• Fred Spence, Spence Custom Carving
• Facilitator: Holly Courchene

2:45 PM: Health Break

3:00 PM: Becoming an Indigenous Tour Guide – Brenda Holder, Master Interpretive Guide, Chair of Indigenous Tourism Alberta

• Development of Manitoba’s accredited Indigenous tour guide training program

4:00 PM: End of Day 1

5:00 – 7:00 PM: Reception & Indigenous Culinary Experience at Turtle Village

Day 2:

8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast

9:00 AM: Opening Remarks – Glen Simard, Manitoba Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism (invited)
9:15 AM: Motivational Presentation – Dennis Meeches, Indigeno Travel and Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba

• His journey in the tourism sector and key drivers of success

9:45 AM: Opportunities for Indigenous Youth in Tourism

• Facilitator: Noah Wilson, Business Development Manager, Youth Entrepreneurs, Futurpreneur Canada
• Panelists: Wyatt Daly, Wapusk Adventures; Jayleee and Keeson Smith, Turtle Village

10:30 AM: Health Break

10:45 AM: Panel Discussion – Tourism Business Opportunities in and around Riding Mountain National Park

• Facilitator: Colin Ferguson
• Topics: Riding Mountain National Park, Dauphin Tourism, Clear Lake Country

12:00 PM: Buffet Lunch

12:30 PM: Advancing Indigenous Tourism in the Area – Keith Henry or Teresa Ryder

• Discussion: Next steps and questions

1:00 PM: Closing Remarks and Blessing