b'NORTHERN TOURISMWhile competing for the same tourist dollars on paper, operators often view themselves more as collabora-tors. Denise Pothier, the chief oper-ating officer at Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, recently partic-ipatedintheGovernorGenerals CanadianLeadershipConference trip to the Yukon and observed this firsthand. As she sums up, What we observed was a true community where the business owners are supporting oneanother,lookingoutforone another, and making those connec-tion points. As our tour guide brought us around, you could see that relation-ship-building happening and owners talking about opportunities for one another and how they could collabo-Scenes from a tourist outing in Nunavut. Photo courtesy of Travel Nunavut rate. It was such a positive thing to see.desire to pursue a fulfilling livelihoodwe spent 87 cents in the commu- Therrien supports this view, based on that allows them to contribute to thenity, notes Chris Mitchell of Arcticher own personal experience: I partner overall economic health of the commu- Bay Adventures, an Inuit-owned tourwith a good percentage of our tour nity. They realize that a strong touristcompany in Nunavut. Thats betweencompanies here in Yellowknife. Im a industry in the North is beneficial forthe fuel, the wages, the purchasingfirm believer that everybody who has the development of the local economy.a good experience goes home and from the local merchants. We supportshares it, but if they have a bad expe-For every dollar we get in revenue overand partner with Indigenous peoplerience, they also share it, so we need the nine years weve been in business,and organizations every chance we get. to work together. WOMEN OF THE NORTHThe Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) recently commissioned the Northern WE in Tourism Study to gather data that will help it assist in creating sustainable livelihoods for Indigenous women in the tourism sector in the Canadian North. The study defined the challenges as well as possible solutions. According to study co-author Dr. Sonya Graci, challenges include poor Internet service as well as distant, non-culturally appropriate training that fails to take the circumstances of Northern Indigenous women into account. Having training sessions in Ottawa [when] you live in Grise Fjord, Nunavut [means that] to leave your family to go for training is just not feasible, Graci explains.Further complications include the language of training, as well as how its conducted, i.e., online training vs. in-person, as well as a lack of cultural understanding. As such, says Graci, Indigenous training should be completed at, or conducted from, a grassroots organization in the community.Also complicating matters is access to traditional lending structures, especially for women living on reserve, and a need for more financial literacy. Simply supplying grants falls short of the robust education thats needed.The study outlined concrete steps that can be taken to improve the situation. They include increased mentorship as well as investing in Indigenous-led tourism development programs that work with women one-on-one. Also important is fostering a network of trusted, skilled professionals that can help Indigenous women starting their own tourism operationfrom web designers to accountants to everyone in-between. If more appropriate training and support structures can be put in place, Indigenous women in the North can build their own successful tourism businesses, ensure a steady income close to home, and contribute to the growth of the sector in their region. Its a win-win for all, says Graci: We have to think about the supports that need to be put in place so that these types of initiatives can be fostered.70A CCIB PUBLICATIONFall 2024'