An outpouring of support, and a renewed call to act

Press Release

To our members, partners and the Indigenous tourism community:

I want to begin this week by saying thank you. After last week’s update, an extraordinary number of you took the time to write to the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism, in support of ITAC and the Indigenous tourism sector. The strength, clarity and conviction of those letters has moved me deeply. You have not held back. You have made plain what is at stake for Indigenous tourism in this country, and you have asked the federal government to act.

The voices come from every corner of this country and beyond — from Indigenous tourism operators in remote communities, from members building businesses in every region, from travel media, and from international partners who understand what is at stake. Many of you copied ITAC on your letters. Below are some of those letters that members and partners have given us permission to share publicly:

• D. Kevin Seesequasis, Pêmiska Tourism, Saskatchewan
• Brad Robinson, Thrive Tours, Ontario
• Dion Redgun, Siksika Nation, Alberta
• Dominique Lalonde, Kîsisam Pâtisserie, Quebec
• James McPherson, Sahtu Adventures, Northwest Territories
• Nicole Gordon, Flowing Hearts Indigenous Art Collective, Alberta
• Dean Werk, Great River Fishing Adventures, British Columbia
• Jami Savage, Adventure Awaits, British Columbia
• Terry Dale, United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), New York
• Gilberto Alemancia, Red de Turismo Indígena de Panamá, Panama City

To everyone who has written, posted, spoken up and stood with us this week: thank you. Your support is the reason this work is possible and the reason it will continue.

The work is not done. The federal government has not yet responded with renewed investment, and the underlying cause of the crisis at ITAC remains unchanged: a 100% cut to our core federal funding from Indigenous Services Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The case for Indigenous tourism is now being made loudly across Canada and around the world, and we need to keep that pressure on Ottawa.

If you have not yet written, please do so this week. If you have already written, please ask a colleague, partner or supplier to do the same. Every additional letter strengthens the case for renewed federal investment in Indigenous tourism.

On the social impact funding, our partner and ITAC held two meetings this past week and we continue to expect the deposit to arrive within approximately two weeks. I am keeping ITAC’s board of directors fully informed throughout.

Watch for another update from me next week,

Keith Henry
President and CEO
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

Send your letter of support to:

The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)
House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
rechie.valdez@parl.gc.ca

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