Apply Before October 31, 2024
We're inviting businesses, organizations, and individuals in Northeast BC to apply for this exclusive program to support businesses develop new and enhanced revenue-generating visitor experiences in Northeast BC.
The program includes a variety training elements (e-courses, 2-day in-person workshop, and group and individual online coaching).
Working collaboratively, Destination BC, Northern BC Tourism Association, Indigenous Tourism BC, and Tourism Cafe Canada are offering Beyond the Horizon: The Great Wilderness Experience Development Program, which supports Destination BC’s Invest in Iconics Strategy. The Strategy aims to responsibly increase tourism's benefits by marketing globally compelling place and route brands and delivering a much-enhanced destination experience. Stretching across Northern BC, The Great Wilderness™ (TGW) is the second iconic place brand to launch globally.
Click here to review the applicant evaluation criteria for one of the limited seats in this program. This program is designed for already established operations who are looking to expand or enhance their offering to the visitors experiencing the region. The criteria are provided to allow you to integrate these considerations into your application form answers.
This program is being offered free of charge by Destination BC and Northern BC Tourism. It represents a significant investment by Destination BC and Northern BC Tourism. Participants are expected to make a full commitment to the program and will be responsible for all other costs.
For more information, contact any of the following Northern BC Tourism Association staff:
Jennifer Moore at jennifer@nbctourism.com 250.262.2714
April Moi at april@nbctourism.com 250.793.0062
Martina Bancroft at martina@nbctourism.com 604.312.4513.
What is National Indigenous Peoples Day?
June 21, 2023, National Indigenous Peoples Day, is a day for Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and valued contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people. National Indigenous People’s Day is held on the summer solstice as an acknowledgment of the many generations of Indigenous people and communities who have celebrated their culture and heritage on or around the longest day of the year. Joining the celebrations is a wonderful way to learn more about Indigenous Peoples and cultures in your area.
What led to the creation of National Indigenous Peoples Day?
National Aboriginal Day (now National Indigenous Peoples Day) was announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, through the Proclamation Declaring June 21 of Each Year as National Aboriginal Day. This was the result of consultations and statements of support for such a day made by various Indigenous groups:
On June 21, 2017, the Prime Minister issued a statement announcing the intention to rename this day National Indigenous Peoples Day.
How can you participate in National Indigenous Peoples Day in Northern BC?
Check out some of these events:
Other great ways to experience Indigenous Culture
Northern BC Tourism Association works to cultivate and foster credible relations with the Indigenous communities throughout the Northern BC Tourism region and with our partners at Indigenous Tourism BC work to develop economic opportunities while respecting the guidelines set by Indigenous communities and seeking to understand more about historical and cultural differences.
Pictured above: Behind the scenes of a content shoot featuring the arts & trails TRTD project. This content production is in partnership with Freehub Magazine.
Through the Province's Stronger BC economic recovery plan (Targeted Regional Tourism Development Initiative - TRTDI) is funding the Art, Sculpture & Trail Initiative. This initiative developed partnerships between Northern BC Tourism Association, Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association, the Nisga’a Village of Gitwinksihlkw, the City of Terrace, and mountain biking organizations for Terrace (TORCA) and Burns Lake (Ride Burns). Patrick Lucas, founder of the Indigenous Mountain Bike Program is the project advisor and the one who originally conceptualized this project.
The partners are installing outdoor art pieces on low use/impact mountain bike trail networks to enhance the visitor experience through sharing stories or a connection with the land and to motivate and inspire the visitor to extend their visit and explore more of the community.
Our content team recently visited the northwest to meet with and interview the talented artists (Leona Price and Kobe Antonie for Burns Lake, Kari Morgan for the Nisga'a Village of Gitwinkihlkw, and Steve Rogers for the City of Terrace). This behind the scenes content capture will document the process of the Art, Sculpture & Trail Initiative from concept to installation and will be used to develop a large-scale, multi-media project in partnership with Freehub Magazine.
This initiative hopes to build upon successes and to continue to enhance the Ride North 16 experience to further establish the region as a unique mountain biking destination.
On June 7-11 2021 the Nisga’a Community of Gitlaxt’aamiks hosted an Economic Development week for entrepreneurs in their community, which geared towards assisting indigenous owned businesses information to become market ready as well as gathered facilitators to present opportunities to create a sustainable business that would be beneficial to locals and visitors. Gitlaxt’aamiks Village Government-Economic Development has created a Tourism Gitmidiik strategic plan for the next 5 years to give support and substantial opportunities for local businesses to grow and be sustainable for years to come.
This is the first of many sessions for store owners, landscaping, traditional regalia, Tupperware, jewellery, bakers, floral, apparel, food industry business owners as well as carvers of all types to come together to present the business they own or are a representative of. While in attendance each day, the entrepreneurs were given opportunities to have small group discussions regarding GST, PST, WCB as well as how to register to Revenue Canada.
Gitlaxt’aamiks Village Government also gave information on how to access the local Business license and grant program. Local Nisga’a Employment Skills and Training Employment Advisor presented on support opportunities that each business owner can access from basic bookkeeping, wage subsidy, driver’s license training if travel or driving is required for their business. Tricorp employees presented on business loans that could be available for start up costs as well as how important having assets would be for the business and was able to present loan application details.
Tricorp also has upcoming online training for:
There is also opportunities to access internet and laptop loan program that could be available for this 13 week training which a cohort would begin in June 2021. Tea Creek Greenhouse is a business that assists Gitlaxt’aamiks Village Government employees in agriculture opportunities for locals to learn how to grow and harvest fresh fruit and vegetables upon which is shared with the community.
Northern BC Tourism and Indigenous Tourism BC’s Indigenous Specialist was in attendance to each day and had the opportunity to present information of each organization and create working relationships with entrepreneurs and introductions to organizations and local government officials.
The event was successfully attended with COVID-19 regulations in place and we wish each business continued prosperity.
Indigenous Tourism BC and the Northern British Columbia Tourism Association has renewed their Memorandum of Understanding to advance a competitive, sustainable and socially conscious Indigenous tourism industry while contributing to cultural understanding and economic prosperity within the northern region. This is a guiding document that ties the organizations together to foster the growth of the Indigenous tourism industry. The growth of the tourism industry depends on our joint efforts to ensure the Indigenous tourism industry is able to realize its full potential and supports a diverse, strong and vibrant regional tourism industry.
Lucy, April and Clint attended the International Indigenous Tourism Conference in Kelowna in November. The conference theme was to inspire communities and entrepreneurs to explore tourism as an economic driver, focus on the impacts of Indigenous tourism on visitors and Indigenous operators alike and spoke to the power of partnerships and coming together to empower the Indigenous tourism industry.
One highlight was NBCTA signing the new Thompson Okanagan Regional Pledge. The Pledge is called the Seven Affirmations for Seven Generations. It was created out of a need to develop guidelines for sustainable tourism in the Thompson Okanagan region and is based on the Seven Generations Principle.
The Seven Generations Principle is based on Indigenous philosophy that recognized that the decisions an individual makes today will have an impact for as long as seven generations to come. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the individual to consider impacts on the environment and the people who inhabit the area when making decisions.
Northern BC Tourism CEO, Clint Fraser, signing the Seven Affirmations for Seven Generations pledge.
You can read more about the pledge and sign it yourself here.
Indigenous peoples’ representatives worked for more than two decades to achieve the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which was adopted by 144 countries, with 11 abstentions, and 4 countries voting against it. The four opposing states have since reversed their positions and endorsed the Declaration.
So, what does this mean for tourism? Article 11(1) of the UNDRIP states: “Indigenous peoples have the right to practise and revitalize their cultural traditions and customs. This includes the right to maintain, protect and develop the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures, such as archaeological and historical sites, artefacts, designs, ceremonies, technologies and visual and performing arts and literature.”
The potlatch was one of the most important ceremonies for First Nations in some parts of Canada, and was held to mark important occasions, as well as serving a crucial role in the distribution of wealth. The banning of this practice (Indian Act, 1876), has had devastating results. When the potlatch ban was lifted in 1951, many communities had lost the Elders who knew the protocols of the ceremonies. Even today we have communities like the Lheidli T’enneh in Prince George who are working to revitalize this important part of their history and at the end of November, will be holding their first potlatch in 73 years.
The history of Indigenous peoples in Canada is not a true version of the history that has taken place and many Canadians and International visitors, are eager to hear the voices of Indigenous people tell their story, their history. The rise in demand for cultural Indigenous experiences is providing the opportunity for Indigenous communities and individuals to share their culture, history and stories in an authentically, respectful manner.
The full pdf version of UNDRIP can be found here https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf
Written by Lucy Martin, Indigenous Tourism Specialist
Northern BC Tourism’s April Moi and Lucy Martin joined Indigenous Tourism BC, Destination BC and industry partners and tour operators at the Nisga’a Tourism Pilot Tour from July 12-16, 2019 in the Nisga’a' territory in the Nass Valley to learn about the tourism opportunities in each of the four Nisga’a villages - Gingolx, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgalts’ap and Gitlaxt’aamiks.
The Pilot Tour was hosted by Nisga'a Lisims Government, as well as the four villages and included visits to carving sheds, the Nisga’a Museum and smokehouses; walking tours with Elders in all four villages; a guided hike to the crater; a bear-viewing tour; delicious food at several Nisga’a restaurants / cafes, overnight stays at Vetter Falls Lodge and Gingolx Lodge; and most importantly the welcoming Nisga’a Hospitality!
Each of the four villages has much to offer, from the majestic lava beds and natural hot springs, to rivers, the ocean, and wildlife.
The Visitors Centre and Nisga’a Museum provide the visitor with history of the area, the volcanic eruption, and how the four villages came to be. The natural beauty and genuine hospitality of the Nisga’a people is a visit worth experiencing.
Our Northern BC team is looking forward to continuing to work with Indigenous Tourism BC and representatives of the Nisga’a Lisims Government and communities to help develop the Nisga’a tourism experiences to market ready stage.
The Fort St. John Chamber of Commerce hosted an Indigenous Celebration on June 12.
The event was sponsored by BC LNG Alliance and began with a visit to Tse’K’wa (Rock House) at Charlie Lake, an 8 acre property owned by Doig River, Prophet river, and West Moberly. According to archaeological evidence, the cave site at Charlie Lake is a uniquely spiritual site that has been used and visited by humans for more than 12,000 years.
The day concluded with a well-attended dinner of traditional foods including bannock, bison, and moose meat stir fry. A keynote speech was delivered from Chief Clarence Louie.
Our summit will bring together industry experts, travel enthusiasts, and local businesses to discuss the latest trends, strategies, and opportunities in Northern BC's tourism sector.
Expect engaging discussions, insightful keynote speakers, and interactive workshops that will equip you with valuable knowledge and insights. Connect with like-minded individuals, forge new partnerships, and gain inspiration to take the tourism sector to the next level in the region.
