Enhancing Community Capacity and Evaluating Place-Based Pedagogy in Indigenous Tourism
Photo credit: ’Qátuw̓as Brown
November, 2022
Conservation-based activities like ecotourism provide Indigenous Nations with economic opportunities that reflect Indigenous stewardship. Many Nations are working to build Indigenous-owned ecotourism companies, guided by Indigenous values, managed by Indigenous people, and following policies established by Indigenous people. This work can be an expression of Nationhood and self-determination.
To realize the full economic impact of these opportunities, people need to be prepared to manage these assets. The Heiltsuk Tribal Council has partnered with Vancouver Island University and North Island College to develop an Indigenous Ecotourism Education Program, a seven-month program for students from coastal First Nations.
This report shares some of the learnings from the sessions. The report, produced with Vancouver Island University, North Island College, the Heiltsuk Tribal Council, and the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, is intended to help mobilize the accumulated knowledge and share it with other Nations going on a similar journey.
