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“Tourism is an Essential part of Our Recovery as People” According to the Honourable Murray Sinclair

Wednesday, 4 December 2019 16:18

Senator Murray Sinclair speaks at the Advancing Indigenous Tourism Conference at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse

Canadian Senator, First Nations Lawyer and Judge, the Honourable Murray Sinclair spoke today at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse.

Canadian Senator, First Nations Lawyer and Judge, the Honourable Murray Sinclair spoke today at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse today. Murray was the keynote speaker at the Advancing Indigenous Tourism Conference, which began yesterday and wraps up this evening.

Sinclair is best known for being the first aboriginal judge appointed in Manitoba, the second aboriginal judge appointed in Canada and for his work as Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Sinclair spoke about the history and ongoing effects of residential school, the role of survivors in the tourism industry and the importance of indigenous people in the Canadian tourism market.

“Tourism is an essential part of our recovery as people” said Sinclair, “and part of our recovery is people, and part of our recovery as people is understanding what’s going on today, and why but also what about tools we have and what resources we have within ourselves and outside of ourselves that we can utilize in order to regain our footing”. Sinclair began his address stressing how important it is to consider the history of residential schools when looking at the issue of Indigenous tourism, but was optimistic about the role that tourism can hold. He was also quick to point out that Yukon history and tourism need not be based around the Gold Rush, but instead around its peoples.

Sinclair highlighted the importance of history when looking forward to tourism, and offered advice to conference attendees on using political activism to push forward the indigenous tourism industry.

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