$5 million to strengthen Aboriginal tourism in BC
First Nations salute appointment of native judge as B.C. lieutenant governor
Historic Declaration adopted at United Nations bittersweet to Aboriginal women in Canada
Historic meeting of the Treaty Chiefs of 6, 7, 8 and Alberta's Provincial Ministers
$5 million to strengthen Aboriginal tourism in BC
The Province of British Columbia is investing $5 million over the next four years to help build a culturally rich and sustainable Aboriginal tourism industry throughout BC, announced Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.
Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts (centre) signs a memorandum of understanding September 24th with ATBC Chair Brenda Baptiste and Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation. The signing took place during the Province’s announcement of a $5 million investment in ATBC’s Blueprint Strategy. Designed to build BC’s Aboriginal tourism industry, the Blueprint Strategy will, among other initiatives, expand the highly successful Squamish Youth Ambassador Program across BC, training 210 Aboriginal Youth Ambassadors in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“In BC, we are very privileged to have a strong Aboriginal heritage,” said Hagen. “There are currently about 200 Aboriginal tourism businesses, ranging from accommodation and adventure attractions to tourism services. These businesses cater to the strong increase in the number of people looking for authentic cultural tourism experiences as part of their vacation. This $5-million grant will help develop Aboriginal cultural tourism into a prosperous, strong, and dynamic sector of our economy in every community of the province.”
The $5 million is being provided to the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (ATBC) to support the implementation of the Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Blueprint Strategy, which is focused on the development and marketing of Aboriginal tourism businesses, training and skills development, in addition to fostering community economic development and cultural preservation.
“Implementing the strategy will create new employment and economic development opportunities in the lead up to 2010 and beyond, while helping to strengthen and preserve the cultural identity of Aboriginal people and communities throughout BC,” said Brenda Baptiste, chair of ATBC. “I want to acknowledge the longstanding support of the government of BC, Tourism BC, the First Nations Leadership Council and the federal government. Their guidance and financial support in raising awareness of the growth opportunities in Aboriginal tourism has helped make this plan a reality today.”
“Aboriginal tourism is destined to become a driving force and cornerstone for economic development in BC First Nations communities,” said Chief Judith Sayers, a member of the First Nations Summit and First Nations Leadership Council. “The ATBC is playing a critical role through the implementation of the Blueprint Strategy in creating the path, the support network and the framework to make this a reality for many of our communities. We applaud the government of BC for recognizing the strong economic benefits of Aboriginal tourism through the provision of a $5-million commitment to assist in the implementing the Blueprint Strategy.”
As a part of this announcement, the BC government, the Squamish Nation and the ATBC signed a memorandum of understanding that will expand the highly successful Squamish Youth Ambassador Program as a model for Aboriginal tourism training throughout the province. At the signing, the group announced a goal to train 210 Aboriginal Youth Ambassadors in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“For many years, our Youth Ambassador program has been growing and benefiting our young people,” said Chief Gibby Jacob, Squamish Nation. “We are very pleased to be able to share this successful program with Aboriginal youth and communities through the province.”
By 2012, the Aboriginal tourism industry is expected to contribute over $50 million to BC’s economy, up from approximately $35 million today. A sustainable Aboriginal tourism sector with diverse products in communities in every region of the province is recognized as one of the major focuses for achieving the target set by Premier Gordon Campbell to double tourism revenues in BC by 2015.
Key activities of the ATBC over the next four years include:
- Rolling out the Aboriginal Youth Ambassador program across the province.
- Developing consumer advertising campaigns to increase visitation.
- Attending major travel trade marketplaces to increase Aboriginal tour packages.
- Developing career awareness programs.
- Publishing an expanded Aboriginal cultural experiences visitor guide.
- Establishing tourism education and training programs, including FirstHost, to increase market-readiness and identify new opportunities.
- Developing Aboriginal cultural tourism authenticity protocols and certifications.
The ATBC is a non-profit, membership-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Aboriginal tourism industry. Through training, information resources, networking opportunities and co-operative marketing programs, ATBC is working to realize its vision of a healthy, prosperous and dynamic Aboriginal tourism industry in BC.
For more information on Aboriginal tourism in British Columbia, visit www.aboriginalbc.com.
First Nations salute appointment of native judge as B.C. lieutenant governor
British Columbia First Nations leaders and politicians are hailing the appointment of Steven Point, a judge and Native leader, as B.C.'s next lieutenant-governor.
Point was the chief of the Skowkale First Nation and tribal chair of the Sto:lo Nation until his appointment as a B.C. provincial court judge in 1999. He became the chief commissioner of the B.C. Treaty Commission in 2005.
Point replaces Iona Campagnolo, a former federal Liberal cabinet minister who was appointed in 2001.
Grand Chief Edward John of the First Nations Summit says the appointment is ``truly a milestone for First Nations people in B.C., especially in these times of reconciliation, recognition and relationship-building.''
Premier Gordon Campbell says Point brings to the position ``a wealth of wisdom and experience that will benefit all British Columbians.''
``He is an exceptional man filling an exceptional role in a province well-served by his predecessor,'' Campbell said in a statement.
Chief Judith Sayers, also of the First Nations Summit, said the new lieutenant-governor will be missed in his role with the B.C. Treaty Commission.
``He has been an effective advocate for the settlement of fair and just treaties,'' she said.
Regional chief Shawn Atleo of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations also welcomed the appointment.
``He brings with him a great amount of respect and dedication to this esteemed position,'' he said.
Point will be installed as B.C.'s 28th lieutenant-governor at a ceremony in the B.C. legislature.
Historic Declaration Adopted at United Nations Bittersweet to Aboriginal Women in Canada
Native Women’s Association of Canada President Beverley Jacobs joined with Indigenous Peoples from around the world in celebrating the long-awaited adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This Declaration is the culmination of over twenty years of discussions to set global human rights standards for Indigenous Peoples.
The Sept. 13th vote is a victory in Canada and around the world, a major step towards eliminating the widespread human rights violations suffered by Indigenous Peoples, and is of particular significance to Indigenous women in Canada. They have faced the brunt of colonization and have felt its ramifications for centuries. This Declaration promotes critical rights, such as the right of self-determination, rights related to land, resources and territories, and the right to live free from discrimination and violence to name a few.
On this day of recognition by the United Nations of the need to end historic wrongs and redress the severe human rights violations facing Indigenous Peoples, Canada has chosen to vote against the Declaration. Their decision to obstruct the advancement of Indigenous Peoples’ human rights is simply reprehensible. President Jacobs states: “While the adoption of the Declaration brings me great joy, Canada’s unprincipled decision to vote against the Declaration demonstrates a lack of commitment not only to Indigenous Peoples but to human rights more generally. This is not over – we will be calling on Canada to join us to implement this Declaration immediately.”
Ellen Gabriel, President of the Québec Native Women Inc. also said: “Indigenous women in Canada and around the world have fought long and hard for this Declaration – for the protection of our rights. We will continue to ensure that this ground-breaking instrument is brought to bear on the daily lives of Indigenous women throughout Canada.”
The Native Women’s Association of Canada is an aggregate of 13 Aboriginal women’s organizations and is the national voice of Aboriginal women in Canada. NWAC’s Mission is to empower women by being involved in developing and changing legislation which affects them and by involving them in the development and delivery of programs promoting equality for Aboriginal women.
Historic meeting of the Treaty Chiefs of 6, 7, 8 and Alberta's Provincial Ministers
For the first time ever, Chiefs of Treaty 6, Treaty 7 & Treaty 8 of Alberta met this past recently with the Province of Alberta to formally discuss a new Government to Government relationship.
“This historic meeting marked an opportunity for the Chiefs of Alberta and the Provincial Ministers to openly express their thoughts of mutual concern. This will lead towards an improved working relationship and it will also allow both governments to tackle common issues and initiatives that will bring positive outcomes that will lead to a better quality of life for First Nations & Non- First Nations people in this province,” said Spokesperson & Grand Chief of Treaty 7, Charles Weaselhead.
The Minister of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations, Honourable Guy Boutilier hosted the ground breaking meeting and invited seven other Ministers from his cabinet to attend the gathering which took place at the Legislature building in Edmonton.
“My colleagues and I welcomed this opportunity to meet with the Chiefs in person to build a bridge from a cooperative past to even more effective and productive relationships in the future,” said Minister Boutilier.
During the meeting, it was agreed upon by both parties to engage in semi-annual meetings to initiate a government to government process to formally discuss common issues and initiatives in the province.
“We look forward to building a better alliance with the Government of Alberta that will foster mutual understanding, respect and full cooperation of working together for a common goal and that goal presently is to sign off on a political accord,” said Grand Chief of Treaty 6, Stanley Lagrelle.
“Our discussions were exploratory in nature but the outcome of the meeting provides both governments a way of moving forward. We want to ensure that our Treaties are central and are the basis from where we’re coming from. Our Chiefs are optimistic about this new provincial relationship,” said Grand Chief of Treaty 8, Arthur Noskey.
Treaties 6, 7 & 8 represent 48 First Nations bands within the province of Alberta.