Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is excited to announce a campaign encouraging corporations, organizations and special interest groups to book retreats, meetings, workshops, and educational experiences with Indigenous tourism businesses in BC.
For organizations looking to implement Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action or educators seeking to apply First Nations learning principles, Indigenous tourism operators provide space and leadership for learning, reflection and dialogue.
The longstanding and unacknowledged reality and grief of Residential School Survivors, their families, and communities are now part of public awareness and education. As a result, many workplaces and organizations are looking to step up for Reconciliation to effect change in media, policy, law, health, education, and administration. Indigenous hosts in BC hold space for all interested in learning from Indigenous peoples. “We are proud to share the many learning opportunities hosted by Indigenous tourism operators in BC. There are so many ways to bring Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledge into your workplace or community,” said Brenda Baptiste, Chair of ITBC. “One way is to reach out to an Indigenous tourism business and their hosts who can support this learning, growth, and connection from an Indigenous perspective.”
Indigenous tourism operators in BC share experiences and knowledge that can help individuals, families, businesses, schools, corporations and other organizations find a place in Reconciliation. Developing diversity and inclusion practices informed by Indigenous experience and knowledge, and reflecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action.
ITBC encourages everyone to participate and support Indigenous tourism businesses in BC, representing the diverse and living Indigenous peoples and cultures in present-day BC. Finding ways to conduct business and improve relationships with Indigenous Peoples and partners, teams can experience and learn from Indigenous-owned accommodations, transportation companies, outdoor experiences, event facilities, restaurants, cultural centres, gift shops, and galleries in British Columbia.
