By: Shannon Monk, KMKNO, with Robert Bernard, NSITEN
As part of our ongoing discussion about cultural tourism and authenticity, we are going to feature stories about different entities involved in and supporting this growing industry.
The Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network (NSITEN) was established in the fall of 2017 to help support the growth of Indigenous owned tourism businesses in the Nova Scotia region as well as to support the growth of cultural authenticity through efforts to highlight artists, crafters and traditional experiences.
NSITEN is now preparing a revised strategic plan to better represent, organize and support Indigenous owned businesses based on recent challenges many are facing as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This includes many businesses being affected through mandatory closures, infrastructure, technology requirements for opening businesses back up to the public, as well as additional stresses from mandatory new safety training obligations for social distancing.
NSITEN will be working hard to negotiate for new funding dollars to provide these supports to the Mi’kmaq-owned tourism businesses across Nova Scotia.
NSITEN has been very involved in supporting the Mi’kmaw Authenticity Guidelines work to date, to help to guide both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and organizations in terms of how best to appropriately honour, include, respect, promote and deliver Mi’kmaw culture in the tourism industry.
This has been no easy feat to bring together and it will continue to be a living, breathing document with changes and additions for years to come, but for the first time our people, the L’nu’k, have had their say when it comes to what should be promoted, how our culture should be shared, why things such as language must be prioritized and when our people should be involved in things such as major events to welcome visitors to our land through recognition and traditional welcomes.
BUILDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES
NSITEN has been working to develop new partnerships and stronger relationships with mainstream tourism, arts organizations and other related corporate business entities across the Province. The primary focus has been to share information about what NSITEN does and how they can help to create more awareness about our Mi’kmaq people – our history, our cultural identity – and how our authentic products, services and experiences will add richness and vibrancy to the mainstream tourism system.
As has been discussed in previous articles, our challenge is to build capacity. Growing our own cultural tourism sector will enable us to compete and provide quality services to local visitors and tourists from across North America and around the world.
We know much of this depends on the authenticity of our offerings – our arts, crafts and our cultural tourism experiences. This includes everything from how we express ourselves as Mi’kmaq in our songs, dances, traditional stories, traditional wear (clothing) and how we share who we are through outdoor experiences, sharing our food, our medicines, our connections to the land, our place in history through our treaties, and so much more!
PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
NSITEN has been involved in discussions with the development of the Destination Halifax Tourism Master Plan which was released to the mainstream public in early March 2021. They will be working closely with this organization to help promote and develop opportunities for Indigenous tourism. This work is specific to the Halifax Regional Municipality; development and increased investment in capacity to access mainstream tourism opportunities for Indigenous tourism business owners will be a key priority going forward.
NSITEN has also been involved in supporting the ongoing development of Mi’kmaw artists and crafters from Unama’ki with New Dawn Enterprises, and the creation of the Kisituek Art Gallery with planned recognition of seven selected artists. This recognition will be taking place sometime in the early summer of 2021 in Sydney.
In order to foster cooperation and understanding and build important relationships, NSITEN is focused on developing ongoing MOU Agreements with key tourism organizations, corporations and government departments across the Province with the goal of opening new doors for Indigenous tourism. This includes the promotion of artists, crafters, business owners, Indigenous experiences, culinary foods and cross-cultural awareness of authentic products, services and experiences by the Mi’kmaq. These MOU agreements will be made public with details on their website in the near future.
NSITEN also realizes the huge impact that the COVID-19 Pandemic has had on all business owners since last March 2020 when much of the tourism industry was facing a shut down. They are now working with industry and government to bring together some new funding to develop training and business development opportunities for business owners. These include COVID-19 Safety Training for businesses and their staff, access to additional funding for infrastructure changes as a result of mandatory social distancing during business operations and increasing access to technology as a means for online training and ongoing development for companies.
Recently, NSITEN worked with the Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax to develop a brand-new initiative called the Kinuk Tourism Development Program. This new initiative will focus on recruiting Indigenous students to get involved in the mainstream tourism industry but with a focus on Indigenous cultural tourism.
The approach will harness the essential elements of culture, language, traditional values, treaty information and other major pieces such as welcoming non-Indigenous students to learn more about our people and our culture through hands on learning and visits to local First Nation communities. This project will be guided by Mi’kmaw principles, teachings and Elder involvement as a co-learning educational experiences with the goal of substantially growing the Indigenous tourism industry in the next 5-10 years.
NOVA SCOTIA INDIGENOUS TOURISM AWARDS
NSITEN is very pleased to continue their efforts in recognizing active Indigenous tourism business owners, artists, crafters and students involved in the tourism industry through their 2nd Annual Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Awards. Applications will be available on their website and they will have different categories available for application.
Annual General Meeting – APRIL 2021
NSITEN will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Annual General Assembly (AGA) to take place in mid April 2021. NSITEN as an organization is also transitioning and looking for new members to help serve on their Board of Directors.
The AGA will be online, and registration is FREE. Invitations are extended to Indigenous tourism business owners, entrepreneurs as well as artists, crafters and students interested in learning more about NSITEN and their efforts to grow opportunities for Indigenous tourism in Nova Scotia. There will be some neat door prizes for all participants that decide to join for the full day session. For more information, please visit the NSITEN website at www.nsiten.com .