BenefitAboriginalTourismHTDevStrategy

The benefits of Aboriginal Cultural tourism for the Haisla community

What is Aboriginal tourism?

According to Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia (AtBC), Aboriginal tourism is usually defined as tourism owned by or involving Aboriginal peoples. It typically focuses on highlighting the inter-related elements of heritage, history, values, land, lifestyle, customs and entertainment, as well as arts and crafts.

AtBC Board of Directors used the following definition :

“…a cultural experience that must be tied directly to an Aboriginal person, or group of Aboriginal people.

The Cultural experience is authenticated in one of two ways:

1) As a direct result of permission provided through that person or person’s Cultural Keepers, Elders or those designated with the authority to approve the sharing of the

experience as it relates to that culture; or

2) As a result of experiences relating to either traditional Aboriginal culture or today’s living culture as it is reflected through modern day lifestyle.”

What are the benefits of tourism for the community?

• Economic Development

• Cultural Strengthening

• Social Exchange

• Self-determination

• Control

• Heritage Appreciation

• Political Positioning

• Alliance Building

• Economic Development

provides Haisla communities and individuals with a range of economic development opportunities and benefits. These include economic diversification, employment, entrepreneurship and training, and education;

• Cultural Strengthening

provides an important means and motivation for Aboriginal communities to care for and maintain their heritage and cultural practices;

• Social Exchange

provides an important vehicle for cultural exchange by offering visitors opportunities to experience and understand Haisla community heritage and culture directly from the Haisla people;

• Self-determination

helps Haisla people to become more self-reliant and assume more control of their own destinies;

• Control

Haisla Tourism development would require Haisla hosts and Super Hosts to gain control of their culture and determine what aspects of it they would share with visitors;

• Heritage appreciation

helps Haisla youth become more familiar with and proud of their heritage by teaching them about their cultural traditions and values;

• Political Positioning

raises awareness of land ownership, governance, wildlife and environmental management and resource sharing issues central to treaty negotiations;

• Alliance Building

creates linkages and sharing between Haisla communities and businesses for long term economic, social and cultural development.

Haisla Tourism Development Strategy

Vision

Haisla Tourism vision is to become one of the best Aboriginal tourist destination and a benchmark for environmental and a sustainable economic model of development throughout First Nation communities.

Mission

Development of an aboriginal tourism sector within Haisla Traditional Territory for the community’s benefit

Objectives

Provide Haisla hospitality to visitors

Provide economic spin-off throughout the community

Meaningful involvement for Haisla communities in tourism

Be respectful and collaborative partners with external communities

Outstanding services that surpass visitor’s expectations

Guiding principles

Ensure community capacity: human, material and financial

Transfer skills & expertise to Haisla members

Establish protocol for visitors and partners