Since Alberta announced plans to double its tourism spending by 2030, tourism in the province has increased. But the province can’t reach its goal on the back of tourism hot spots like Banff alone.
So the Alberta government is investing in promising tourism destinations across the province. This includes Indigenous tourism, which has seen impressive growth in the last few years.
Take Kokum’s Outreach, for example. Located on the shores of Lesser Slave Lake, Kokum’s Outreach is a drug-free and alcohol-free wellness camp. Unlike traditional camping, wellness camping focuses on spiritual, physical, and mental growth.
For Kokum’s Outreach operator April Isadore, her wellness camp is a healing place using Indigenous traditions and modern methods. Here, visitors can enjoy various activities, including karaoke nights, craft nights, dry meat making, fish smoking, and so much more.
Kokum’s Outreach offers support from experienced facilitators and works with Alberta Health Services to provide counselling support once a week during July and August.
Kokum’s Outreach started as a single canvas teepee in 2019 but has since grown in size to nine teepees with the help of Indigenous Tourism Alberta (ITA). ITA is a non-profit organization that partners with Indigenous tourism experiences to create a booming Indigenous tourism economy.
Isadore’s wellness camp is just one of many Indigenous-led tourism destinations joining the ITA. In fact, the ITA has seen its membership grow from 138 in 2021 to 230 in 2022.
“What that tells us is that there’s been a significant growth in interest for Indigenous tourism development from entrepreneurs and communities across the province,” Shae Bird, the CEO of ITA, told CBC.
The Alberta government is investing $1.3 million into ITA this year to sweeten the pot further. This investment will go towards several projects focused on the growth of Indigenous tourism, including a multiplex!
Indigenous tourism allows us to learn and experience a wealth of unique cultures, traditions, and histories of Indigenous peoples in Alberta. It also is a step toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Overall, Indigenous tourism plays an important role in preserving heritage and promoting cultural diversity in Alberta.
