Respectful Growth of Indigenous Tourism
Pacific Rim National Park | Destination BC/JF Bergeron
Respectful Growth of Indigenous Tourism
Two people taking a tour at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre | Hubert Kang
The Journey
Destination BC has a mandate from the Government of BC to respectfully grow Indigenous tourism in BC. Indigenous Tourism BC is mandated by the First Nations Leadership Council to lead the growth of Indigenous tourism across the province.
Through our longstanding partnership of over 25 years, the relationship between Indigenous Tourism BC and Destination BC continues to evolve. Our aligned values and ongoing collaboration in Indigenous tourism ensures our work directly supports First Nation communities and Indigenous Peoples.
Being respectful of the growth of Indigenous tourism means we honour each Nation’s inherent Rights and Titles and their sovereign approach to tourism. We respect their authority to decide what role the visitor economy plays in their communities. Each place has unique peoples, cultures, and customs, and communities will determine how and when their stories are shared.
Our Commitments
At Destination BC, we are committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation. We recognize that this is both a responsibility and an opportunity to build understanding, equity, and connection within the BC tourism industry. To meaningfully support the Respectful Growth of Indigenous Tourism, we have developed an initial plan to guide our efforts to grow as an organization in our learning and unlearning. We invite you to learn where we are focusing our efforts by reading Our Commitments Towards Truth and Reconciliation.
We also have a shared commitment with Indigenous Tourism BC to create a unified tourism industry in BC—one that enriches the experiences and connections that tourism provides, and that respects and provides benefits for Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and lands, for generations to come.
This commitment is to continue to grow Indigenous tourism in BC and ensure First Nations communities and Indigenous Peoples are determining and leading the future of tourism for their communities. We believe it is an important foundation to the industry’s ability to succeed and compete in the future.
We heard from the industry, in particular Community DMOs and visitor services, that they are looking to us to help assist them and non-Indigenous identifying businesses in increasing their awareness and understanding of working with Indigenous Peoples. We are committed to supporting connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples through our programs and services.
A couple are speaking with artist Cole Vandale at Skwachays, an Indigenous Gallery, Hotel & Lodge. | Destination Vancouver/Kindred & Scout
Indigenous History, Culture & Experiences
Indigenous Tourism
Key Activities
- Build cultural competence within the organization.
- Continue the collaborative partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC under the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and Action Plan, the renewed Indigenous Tourism Accord and Indigenous Tourism BC-Destination BC’s Guiding Principles.
- Develop meaningful and collaborative relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities: First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
- Continue to amplify Indigenous voices, values, and presence in Destination BC’s work, with the approval of Indigenous Peoples.
- Work with Indigenous Peoples and communities that are interested in tourism.
- Assist Community DMOs and Visitor Centres to build meaningful and collaborative relationships with Indigenous Peoples on whose lands they conduct business.
- Contribute to community collaboration and connection between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples throughout our programs and services.
- Continue to learn how best to do our work through lenses of Truth & Reconciliation, DEIA, and stewardship with an emphasis on cultural competencies and inclusive leadership.
Measures
Industry Values our Programs
Indigenous Presence in Destination BC’s Work
Destination BC Employee Skills and Resources
Resident Value
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