Business Development for Inter-Tribal Tourism
By Terrance H. Booth, Sr. (Nishwilgun) – Tsimshian Nation
Uniqueness of Inter-Tribal Tourism
A core Native working group has been working with Inter-Tribal Cultural Tourism for last three years. Southeast Alaska tourism annually generates $530 Million Dollars and one of the primary reasons why 35% of all Alaska visitors visit this region of Alaska is the pristine view of the area and desire to experience a cultural experience. Each one of the Alaska Native Tribes of this region of Alaska all has their own unique cultural tourism program in place. But, we can make a greater impact by joining forces like in Ketchikan, Alaska receives 39,000 visitors per day from May to September. Ketchikan has Native attractions but collectively, the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian all have an abundance of artists, carvers, dancers, musicians, and storytellers can be an added feature to the Native tourism venue. Cultural pavilions can be set up both in Ketchikan and Metlakatla, Alaska. Cultural pavilions would include and feature the artists, carvers, dancers, musicians and storytellers and have dance area where all the Southeast Dancers can perform and artists having their own art studios and proper place to display their Art Work.
The Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian working together to tap into this tourism industry will reap much profits and individually these tribes do have tourism attractions; but, collectively the three tribes by working together can reap more revenue and profits simply being themselves with their wealth of Native Artists, Tribal Dancers, Totem Pole Carvers, and Storytellers.
The same can be replicated in Prince Rupert, British Columbia among Haida, Tsimshian and other First Nations surrounding Prince Rupert. Other areas where this can be replicated is in Sitka, Juneau, and Skagway Alaska for these are the areas that the cruise liner ships coming to Southeast Alaska ports where they stop for few hours.
British Columbia has a strong record and tourism is one leading economic sectors, tourism benefits BC in many ways. Its economic benefits extend into every region of the province. In 2010, tourism generated over $13.4 billion in revenue and contributed over $1.2 billion to provincial government revenues. [1] Its key markets include: California, Ontario, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, and emerging markets China, India, Mexico. Regions, communities, cities and sector organizations will lead in Alberta, Washington State and the BC resident market [2] In promoting First Nations Aboriginal tourism strategy includes working with the Aboriginal Tourism BC to outline an Aboriginal Tourism BC Blueprint Strategy. [3]
Klemtu, British Columbia the farthest south First Nations Tsimshian now is on the tourism and economic map now having a new ferry terminal, a 638-passenger capacity vessel Northern Expedition. The ship, which plies the popular Inside Passage route, not only provides reliable transportation for coastal residents but also offers visitors an adventure tourism experience and opportunity to view B.C.’s amazing wildlife. [4] Klemtu, BC a tribal member desires to do eco-tourism and they are within grizzly bear sanctuary with much to see and experience culturally among the Tsimshian people.
Kake, Alaska located west of Petersburg, Alaska and south of Juneau, Alaska desires to have an eco-tourism for whale and wild life watching tour for their village. It has several waterways with plenty of whales and much wild life to see. [5]
Metlakatla, Alaska has completed a road nearest point to Ketchikan, Alaska and a new ferry terminal will soon be completed this summer. This opens up the opportunity for more visitors to come and visit Metlakatla.
Pending from the Tsimshian Nation is a Tsimshian Cultural Celebration organizing group has met with the Tsimshian Hereditary Chiefs who acknowledged the event and tentative plans are to make Tsimshian Canoes to gift to the Tsimshian Hereditary Chiefs completed canoes will be sent to Metlakatla with a community celebration with the Tsimshian Chiefs all invited and this has never happen for Metlakatla, Alaska having all of their Hereditary Chiefs visiting their community. This is like a healing journey for the move to Alaska those moving had to give up all of their cultural activities. The theme for this Tsimshian Cultural Celebration is “Re-connecting Cultural Ties.” With this Tsimshian Nation Cultural Celebration two Commemorative Twin Totem Poles will be commissioned one placed in Metlakatla, Alaska and other in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The Chiefs stated never has such a large cultural event ever happen and it has not happen in a very long, long time. Upon the cultural celebration once completed the Tsimshian Hereditary Chiefs will use this occasion as a platform to voice their concerns, issues and make known their treaty issues to both the provincial government and Canadian Government and have on record with the rest of First Nations Canada what they are confronting on a daily basis.
Article by writer on improving tribal economies: http://www.examiner.com/article/challenge-issued-to-southeast-alaska-tri...
1. http://www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/tourismstrategy/documents/MJTI_TourismStrategy...
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2011TRAN0067-000994.htm
5. http://www.visitkake.com/
Comments