b'INDIGENOUS TOURISMIndigenous Cultural Tourisma Booming Industry in OntarioBY JAMIE MONASTYRSKIWith the support and advocacy work of Indigenous Tourism Ontario, operators are finding the support they need in an international industry expanding by leaps and bounds I ndigenous peoples were the firstKevin Eshkawkoganthe CEO ofITO provides a platform for tour guides in this country, so itIndigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO),Indigenous cultural expression and pres-goes without a doubt that theyOntarios first and only dedicatedervation through tourism, according to should also be the ones leading itsIndigenous tourism organizationsaystheir website. Their mission is to assist Indigenous cultural tourism sector. that Indigenous tourism in CanadaIndigenous communities and entrepre-From telling stories about Firstplays an important role in the future ofneurs with programs that build capacity Nations history and cosmology around atourism, and provides new business andto produce high quality products campfire, exploring ancient mounds overjob opportunities for many Indigenousand services. 8,000 years old and hiking trails thatcommunities and entrepreneursEshkawkogan says, Communities were once trade routes thousands of yearsthroughout the country. wanting to get into cultural tourism earlier, to sipping cedar tea and nibblingTiming right now is ideal forare always worried that they are selling on bannock on a river cruise, IndigenousIndigenous tourism operators to exist,out their culture or think, why we ancestors have been sharing with andEshkawkogan says. We have the marketshouldnt be doing this when our own welcoming visitors to traditional territo- demand now, and for Indigenouspeople are hungry for that knowledge. ries since time immemorial.tourism experiences its off the chartsThe answer to that is youre absolutely and the demand is higher than itsright, but at the same time, lets learn. The Indigenous tourism industry inThe best byproduct of cultural tourism Canada employs over 33,000 people, andever been. is that your own people from your own contributed $1.8 billion to Canadas GrossThere are currently over 1,500community will learn about themselves Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018, withIndigenous-owned tourism businessesin the process. We focus on cultural no signs of slowing down. across Canada, with 600 in Ontario alone. integrity at ITO. 24l ISSUE 1 2019C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE'