Northeastern region Metis focus on tourism

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The former town of Haileybury, which recently became incorporated into the city of Temiskaming Shores, may be home to a multifaceted Metis tourism business in the near future.

Connie Boyd, office manager of the Temiskaming Metis Community Council said the council is excited that its dream is beginning to take shape. She said that the area is steeped in rich Metis culture, so they want this venture to relate to the culture as much as it can.

On Feb. 17, the council was approved for a $25,000 project grant by the Ontario Aboriginal Economic Development Program. The money will pay a consulting team to study the feasibility of a Metis community tourism business. The tour package they would like to offer in both summer and winter includes canoeing, hiking, historical site tours such as a trip to Metis heritage sites, a chance to travel on an old voyageur route or on old portages.

In addition, they want to build up the council's own Aboriginal arts and crafts store that has been operating for a year.

Boyd mentioned they have a couple of Metis people in the community who have already expressed an interest in offering their services if the business goes ahead.

"One fellow has a horse and a sleigh and he is talking about doing some horse pulling sleigh rides. He has an acreage, so we could maybe do some hiking on trails there and make it a day thing or maybe overnight tours between two to five days. We are also hoping to offer indoor activities like craft classes and cultural awareness workshops, and with the help of the community it can definitely happen. This is very exciting we've been talking about this for a while."

Boyd said that there are a lot of people who travel to that part of the province each year and Aboriginal cultural outdoor tourism packages seem to be getting really popular.

"There have been a number of studies done on tourism and definitely at the top of the list was the Aboriginal component," she said.

Located about an hour and a half northeast of North Bay, the former town of Haileybury is home to about 4,500 people according to the 2001 census. On Jan. 1 this year, Haileybury amalgamated with New Liskeard and Dymond municipalities to comprise the new city of Temiskaming Shores.

Boyd said that there are some well-known Metis families and well-known historical places in the area. Mowat's Landing on the Montreal River was named after James Mowat from Scotland who married a Metis woman and ended up settling there.

"There are many pockets of Metis families in different locations in the area and in the last year we've started really gathering information on those families who are descendants of the (original) Metis... We wanted to find out who their relatives were, where they lived and the kinds of things they did for a living-was it harvesting? We thought that it would be nice for people on these tours to learn about (that) while they are vacationing in this area and this could be an educational experience for them," she said.

The Temiskiming Metis Council is a charter of the Metis Nation of Ontario, which represents approximately 30 community councils in Ontario. Boyd said that their council represents the Metis citizens in the District of Temiskiming and was established in 1999. It offers a variety of services such as a health program for Metis women, a literacy program for children, a project to help youth gain job skills and training, and social activities such as feasts and events for different age groups.

"We are here to promote the culture and to educate not only the public but also to educate the Metis people."

Boyd added that they have 97 registered members, but they estimate there are hundreds of people in the area who self-identify as Metis but are not registered yet.

She said the council hopes to complete its tourism business plan within the next two months. If the proposed venture is successful in creating employment for Metis people in tourism as gides and interpreters, she believes it will also benefit the economy of the area.

"HopefulIy we can begin to start up something by this summer and maybe eventually have it into full swing after a year or two, once we know the ropes. We are still in the planning stages with the consultant team," she said.