Aboriginal Tourism Canada
I grew up in Western Canada near an aboriginal community and played hockey and baseball with the kids. I took for granted the heritage around me but did learn some of the stories of how “the Hoodoos” were formed and other legends. It wasn’t until I formed a relationship with a German national that I realized what other people thought of the culture that was before my eyes.
Since 1996, Aboriginal Tourism Canada has been generating international interest in native activities and industries. In 1999 aboriginal activities in tourism had brought in close to $270 million in business and expectation are that it will be $1.2 billion in 2009. As of today, the industry employees 14,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit workers.
My German friend said her favorite activities were the Pow Wow and learning aboriginal lore: healing, natural foods, etc. She says acquaintances of her have traveled North America staying with Sioux, Blackfoot and Mi’kmaq peoples. They said it was as close to actually be one of the people back in the 1800′s as you could get.
In the North there are activities such as building igloos and ice fishing as well as mushing a dog sled team.
It’s a shame that we locals don’t appreciate the First nation’s lore as much as our European friends do. With the vision of the ATC this soon could change.
For more information go to: Aboriginal Tourism Canada
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