Indigenous Tourism Alberta Set For Third Annual Summit
Indigenous Tourism Alberta (ITA) will be hosting its third annual Alberta Indigenous Tourism Summit (AITS 2021) at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, located on the Tsuut’ina Nation in Calgary, Alberta from Nov. 24 to Nov. 26, 2021.
AITS brings together up to 300 Indigenous tourism operators, entrepreneurs and industry partners to learn and share their collective knowledge to contribute to the success of Alberta’s rapidly growing Indigenous tourism industry.
Shae Bird, CEO of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, said that: “Over the last year, we have seen a significant interest in travellers looking to further expand their knowledge of Indigenous cultures through authentic learning experiences.”
Bird continued: “This conference brings together our members to celebrate the triumphs of the last year as well as collaborate on the years ahead to further develop each respective business as well as the industry overall.”
In partnership with industry leaders, ITA has organized two full days of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and learning sessions to help Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs discover pathways to success in Indigenous tourism in Alberta. Keynote speakers include Canada’s first First Nations national women’s hockey team member Brigette Lacquette, Chief Executive of the first Indigenous-woman-owned airline Iskwew Air, Teara Fraser, Travel Alberta’s CEO David Goldstein and Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada Director of Development Teresa Ryder.
AITS participants will learn about significant economic opportunities while celebrating the growth of the industry and each individual operation over the last year. Success stories will be recognized at the first annual Awards Gala including awards for Most Improved Business, Most Improved Marketing Initiatives, the Leadership Award and the Allyship Award.
Registration is $200 and includes evening cultural experiences, conference breakout sessions and keynotes, Indigenous culinary ‘Taste of Alberta’ experience and the Gala Awards Dinner.
Go to www.indigenoustourismalberta.ca for more.
Land Acknowledgment
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge Moh’kinstsis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play and help us steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.
This sacred gathering place provides us with an opportunity to engage in and demonstrate leadership on reconciliation. Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to join our team on the lands of Treaty 7 territory.
