2007 Winners of the Aboriginal Tourism
British Columbia Award
BACKGROUNDER
Recipients of the 2007 ATBC Awards represent
the diversity and exceptional quality of Aboriginal tourism
experiences available in every region of British Columbia.
This year’s winners are:
Coast Hotels & Resorts Ambassador
Award: Gwen Point, Lecturer at University College of the
Fraser Valley and Manager of The Chilliwack Pow Wow
Gwen Point is a passionate ambassador for Aboriginal tourism
and represents her community with exceptional pride, respect
and integrity. She teaches extremely popular First Nations
classes at the University College of the Fraser Valley and
has been the driving force behind the Chilliwack Pow Wow
for many years. A doctoral candidate in education at Simon
Fraser University, Gwen is committed to raising awareness
of Aboriginal people in British Columbia in everything she
does.
Young Adult Achievement Award: Tlaook
(Gisele) Martin
Honouring leadership and success in those 35 years and under,
this year’s recipient is Tlaook, a member of the Tla-o-qui-aht
First Nation, from the house of Sheewish. Tlaook is a respected
guide in the territory of her people in Clayoquot Sound
near Tofino, B.C. She and her associates run Tlaook Cultural
Adventures in Tofino, offering visitors an exciting outdoor
experience in Nuu-chah-nulth dugout canoes, with a focus
on culture, history and local flora and fauna.
Power of Education Award: U’mista
Cultural Centre
This award recognizes exceptional effort in bridging cultures
through education and interaction. This year’s recipient,
U’mista Cultural Centre was established in 1974 and
has consistently maintained language preservation programs
along with cultural research, documentation and repatriation
of their Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations culture. The
Centre is a recognized leader in cultural stewardship and
houses the world-renowned Potlatch Collection, attracting
thousands of visitors every year from around the globe.
The Society developed a highly successful tourism program
Wi’la’mola to ensure their economic sustainability
through tourism.
Cultural Authenticity Award: Koeye
Lodge
Koeye Lodge on the Central West Coast of British Columbia
demonstrates a commitment to sharing authentic cultural
activities, to preserving Aboriginal culture and to bettering
the community overall. The lodge offers long-term employment
and economic opportunities for the Heiltsuk people through
its focus on Aboriginal heritage and eco tourism, with a
strong vision and commitment to Heiltsuk values. Over the
years, Koeye Lodge has helped teach young Aboriginal people
the importance of traditional values and commitment to Heiltsuk
stewardship of their territory.
Strength in Marketing Award: Takaya
Tours
Takaya Tours, owned by the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation (Burrard
Indian Band), has seen it successful visitor and travel
trade marketing efforts result in solid growth in bookings.
The company’s guided canoe and kayak tours in North
Vancouver’s Cates Park and Belcarra Regional Park
in Port Moody are gaining a reputation as ‘must do’
outdoor Aboriginal cultural tourism adventures for visitors
to Greater Vancouver. Visitors journey in historically-accurate
replica ocean-going canoes and are immersed in guided interpretation
of the Coast Salish culture.
Industry Partner Award: Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
Tourism Association
This new award recognizes a non-Aboriginal group or person
who makes an outstanding contribution to Aboriginal tourism
through partnerships. The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism
Association was selected as the inaugural winner for its
important contribution to developing sustainable relationships
with regional First Nation groups and entrepreneurs. The
Association had the foresight to hire a First Nations Development
Co-ordinator, who provides workshops and information about
the tourism industry and available marketing programs. For
the first time, its 2007 Travel Guide includes a First Nations
map and a listing of Aboriginal festivals and events.
Tourism Conservation Award: Homalco
Wildlife Tours
This award honours individuals or businesses committed to
preserving the natural environment and traditional lands.
Homalco Wildlife Tours operates Bears of Bute, an ecotourism
business offering grizzly bear viewing on the Orford River,
near Campbell River With traditional territory that includes
Bute Inlet, the Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) First Nation
is committed to ensuring its tourism operations sustain
the wild species and natural ecosystems of their extraordinary
watershed.
Excellence in Customer Service Award:
Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge
Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge, a luxury resort on Quadra Island near
Campbell River, consistently receives superior guest-satisfaction
ratings and their visitor book is the envy of resort operators
anywhere.
The lodge featuring authentic culture, food and art as part
of its Aboriginal experience. The main lodge is designed
in the style of a traditional West Coast “Gukwdzi”
or Big House, and contemporary native art is displayed in
all guest rooms, including the beachfront cottages. Nearby,
the Kwagiulth Museum and Cultural Centre houses headdresses,
masks, basketry, a three-storey totem and photographs from
the 1800’s.
Inspirational Leadership Award: Nk’Mip
Desert Cultural Centre
The Okanagan’s newest cultural tourism experience,
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre demonstrates leadership
through its state-of-the art interpretive centre, blending
legends of the past with the high technology of today. Visitors
to the Centre are left with new knowledge, understanding
and support for the Osoyoos Indian Band and their commitment
to preserving this precious ecosystem. The Nk’Mip
Desert Cultural Centre is one of three new Aboriginal centres
planned to open in B.C. prior to the 2010 Winter Olympic
Games.
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Media Contact: Bill Eisenhauer,
Good Relations Inc.(250) 744-4748 cell
Aboriginal
Tourism Leaders Honoured at Awards Gala
VANCOUVER, BC (March 15, 2007)
– The spotlight was on British Columbia’s Aboriginal
tourism sector and its outstanding performers at The Fourth
Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (ATBC)
awards ceremony held in Vancouver on March 14.
The awards recognize excellence and innovation
among individuals, tourism businesses and organizations
at the forefront of the growing Aboriginal tourism sector
in British Columbia.
“The remarkable efforts of these tourism
leaders is guiding example for all Aboriginal entrepreneurs
and communities striving to create vibrant and sustainable
Aboriginal tourism sector throughout B.C.,” said Brenda
Baptiste, Chair of ATBC. “A special thank you also
needs to go to our many sponsors who have helped make our
awards program such a success.”
Awards were presented in nine categories,
including a new award this year recognizing a non-Aboriginal
group or person who makes an outstanding contribution to
Aboriginal tourism through partnerships:
· Coast Hotels and Resorts Ambassador Award: Gwen
Point, lecturer at University College of the Fraser Valley
and organizer of the Chilliwack Pow Wow Society (www.chilliwackpowwow.ca)
· Young Adult Achievement Award: Tlaook (Gisele)
Martin (www.tlaook.com)
· Power of Education Award: U’mista Cultural
Centre (www.umista.ca)
· Cultural Authenticity Award: Koeye Lodge (www.koeyelodge.com)
· Strength in Marketing Award: Takaya Tours (www.takayatours.com)
· Industry Partner Award: Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
Tourism Association (www.landwithoutlimits.com)
· Tourism Conservation Award: Homalco Wildlife Tours
(www.bearsofbute.com)
· Excellence in Customer Service Award: Tsa-kwa-Luten
Lodge (www.capemudgeresort.com)
· Inspirational Leadership Award: Nk’Mip Desert
Cultural Centre (www.nkmipdesert.com)
ATBC acknowledges the support of Indian and
Northern Affairs Canada, through the Aboriginal Business
Canada program, in making this awards event possible. Coast
Hotels & Resorts’ long-term commitment to the
awards is recognized by ATBC as a significant and valued
partnership.
Other supporters include: RBC Financial Group,
FortisBC, BC Ferries, British Columbia Transmission Corporation,
Bellstar Hotels and Resorts, Plutonic Power, BMO Bank of
Montreal, Capilano College and the Centre for Tourism Leadership
and Innovation, Knight Piesold, and IR Wilson Consultants/Jacques
Whitford.
About the Aboriginal Tourism Association
of BC
The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (ATBC)
is a non-profit, membership-based organization that is committed
to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich
Aboriginal tourism industry. Through training, information
resources, networking opportunities and co-operative marketing
programs, ATBC is working to realize its vision of a healthy,
prosperous and dynamic Aboriginal tourism industry in British
Columbia. For more information on Aboriginal tourism in
British Columbia, visit www.aboriginalbc.com
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Media Contact: Bill Eisenhauer,
Good Relations Inc.(250) 744-4748 cell
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