b'INDIGENOUS TOURISMyears ago, slowly implementing thingspassports; Six Nations is one of the moreOriginal Original campaign this with whatever resources we could pulldelicious ones I can point to. past June, aiming to educate travel-together. We grew that strategy tolers and modernize their perception of include southern Ontario, so now weLooking Ahead Indigenous experiences. The Original have a province-wide Indigenous foodKeith Henry, President and CEOOriginal brand mark identifies businesses tourism strategythe first of its kindat the Indigenous Tourism Associationthat meet a number of criteria set by anywhere in the world. of Canada (ITAC), says the pandemicITAC, including that the business is at Agatha Podgorski, Director ofwas quite devastating for Indigenousleast 51 per cent Indigenous-owned, and Marketing at CTA, says CTA has alsotourism across the country. In light ofis a business that embraces the values of featured Indigenous culinary experiencesthis, one of ITACs 2020 strategies wasIndigenous tourism.in the Great Taste of Ontario provincialto launch a new Destination IndigenousOn the [economic development] recovery program, designed to boostplatform to drive more domestic awareness and new sales for Indigenousside weve been trying to continue to regional economies by emphasizingtourism to Canadians. push packaging and sales to Canadians, shoulder seasonthe travel periodHenry says. The Original Original between peak season and off season [Those are] going to be ourcampaign had commercials, we did and mid-week travel. important customers now and into thea series of postersits running until Right now there are 87 destinationsforeseeable future until we can rebuildthe end of November, so were trying working towards creating these pass- the international markets, Henry says.to market and promote Canadians to ports to the most delicious destinationsWere hoping that these internationalsupport local Indigenous businesses. in Ontario, Podgorski says. Its a waymarkets open smoothly, but were prob-of encouraging people that live in theably one to two years away from theHenry also adds that ITAC is plan-province to stay in the province, explorepre-pandemic visitor volumes we hadning to hold a National Indigenous closer to home and support food andin 2019. Tourism Conference from Feb. 8-10, drink businesses while they travel. OneHenry says ITAC has promoted a2022 at the Grey Eagle Resort and of the criteria we put together for busi- series of packages and built an interactiveCasino in Calgary. The event will be nesses to be featured or prioritized wasmap on the Destination Indigenousan industry-focused conversation on [that] they are Indigenous-owned. Wewebsite for Indigenous tourism busi- Building Back Better for Indigenous are also working with specific commun- nesses across Canada that are open.tourism as we emerge out of the ities in the province to create IndigenousAdditionally, ITAC launched TheCOVID-19 pandemic. INDIGENOUSSERVICES AT SLCTAKE YOUR CAREER DONNEZ UN NOUVEL TO NEW HEIGHTS WITHLANVOTRE CARRIREWaasaabiidaasamose Indigenous Centre ONE OF CANADAS TOPAVEC LUN DES MEILLEURS DIVERSITY EMPLOYERSEMPLOYEURS POUR Indigenous team:Advisors, Counsellor, Knowledge Keeper LA DIVERSIT AU CANADADiversity is fundamental to Facilitated admission for Indigenous Students Air Canadas success. We are Air Canada, la diversit estcommitted to offering an inclusiveau cur de notre succs. Nousand rewarding work environment, nous engageonsoffrir un milieustlawrencecollege.ca/Indigenousand to treating our employeesde travail inclusif et gratifiant,and customers with the utmostettraiter nos employs et nos compassion and respect. clients avec respect et compassion.Learn more at aircanada.com En savoir plusaircanada.com46l I ssue2 2021/22C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne 1021_PR-0791_Indigenous-Tourism-Editorial-Feature_The-Advocate_v1.indd 1 2021-10-20 2:26 PM'