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Advancing Indigenous Tourism

Tuesday, 11 December 2018 17:52

Advancing Indigenous Tourism is an economic pillar in the Yukon and throughout Canada.

The direction for Indigenous Tourism in the Yukon is set for 10 years, and is in alignment with government strategies.

Representatives have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today in Carcross which coordinates efforts for years to come.

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada for instance has set a 5 year plan while the Yukon First Nation Culture and Tourism as well as the Yukon government have planned until 2028.

Keith Henry, CEO of Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada says Yukon is ahead of the curve compared to other jurisdictions.

Marilyn Jensen, president of Yukon First Nation Culture and Tourism and Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys we both signatories of the MOU which will see the organizations align strategic priorities.

Minister Dendys just returned from the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls inquiry final submissions and sees the spin-off successful economic growth has on the population.

By investing heavy into our tourism strategies, Dendys says, will garner a lot of positive attention from the federal level.

The conference was filled with multiple indigenous tourism businesses and lined with exhibits of First Nation artists, like Blake Lepine, Amy Tessaro and Dennis Shorty.

Master Carver Keith Wolf-Smarch, who carved the totem poles outside of the recently built Carcross/Tagish Learning Centre told the crowd during the transformative experiences panel that "If we build it they will come, but they are already coming."

This saying fits right into the goals presented by the YFNCTA of gaining a Thriving Tourism Economy, Sustainable Tourism Development, and Yukon Resident Support.

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