Northern destinations remain popular with Americans

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Northern Ontario's pine forests, rocky terrain and plentiful wilderness lakes are attracting many Aboriginal entrepreneurs who are interested in carving a niche in the sport fishing and tourism markets.

The Northern Ontario Native Tourism Association (NONTA) has teamed together with First Nations businesses to offer cultural and fishing adventures to tourists looking for a unique package.

NONTA was established in 1987 as a non-profit organization, which provides guidelines, training resources, and infrastructure aid to Aboriginal businesses in the tourism industry. Bill Rogoza, manager of NONTA, said the association has flourished since its inception and has "approximately 50 Aboriginal businesses across Northern Ontario that accesses NONTA's services."

The association is governed by a board of directors comprised of representatives from seven First Nations, whose mandate is to develop the potential of Native tourism to the fullest in order to improve economic conditions for First Nations in the region.

Rogoza stated that typically the individual entrepreneur has taken the first step of creating a business concept, and then contacts NONTA for assistance with business plans, marketing, sales, accounting, advertising and economic aid.

The hottest and most recent tourist package available is a fishing vacation for groups of six or more to Kanuchuan Lake, Wapikopa Lake and Lynx Head Lake, located near Webequie First Nation, and Two River-Knife Lake, located near Bearskin Lake First Nation. The packages include five to seven nights' accommodation, air travel, and the use of two-person boats.

What's new is the time frame in which tourists can hit the lakes and start fishing, said Rogoza. Now there is regular chartered plane service from Thunder Bay to Webequie, plus a 90-minute float plane ride from Webequie into the remote camps at either Bearskin Lake or Webequie Lake. Before, clients would have to drive seven hours from Thunder Bay to Webequie, but now that time is cut by 80 per cent, which means "more time for fishing."

Tourists check in at the Thunder Bay airport, with Wasaya Airways at 4 a.m. If they need to purchase a fishing licence, "they can buy them on the spot," said Rogoza.

All of the camps have relatively new log cabins, furnished with "bunk beds, kitchens with propane appliances, hot and cold running water, a shower and solar-powered light." The owners of the camps maintain the safety of guests and are hands-on in managing daily affairs.

Jack Rezny, manager of Moccasin Trails Inc. Fishing Adventure, a subsidiary of NONTA, deals with sales and advertising in the United States. A majority of clientele for the fishing adventures comes from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. Future expansion plans, however, include more aggressive marketing to attract international clients.

All the outpost camps, and Webequie Trucking Service, a company that handles flight supplies and baggage transfers, are owned by Aboriginal people. Wasaya Corporation, which provides both the chartered air service (Wasaya Airways LD) and float plane service (Wasaya Ma Mow) has ownership vested in eight First Nations: Bearskin Lake, Big Trout Lake, Wapekeka, Kasabonika Lake, Webequie Lake, Summer Beaver, Wunnumin Lake and Kingfisher Lake.

Up to now, NONTA has financially managed a majority of the camps; however, when the camp proprietors have entirely paid back any start-up money owed to NONTA, they will assume control. "The fee that NONTA charges is miniscule . . . we only take 10 per cent commission (from tourist revenue)," which is filtered back into the association, said Rogoza.

NONTA aims to provide enough resources and training so the businesses become self-sufficient.

"We want the owners to take over everything, from bookings, marketing, payments and maintaining and establishing contacts with other businesses," added Rezny.

Norm Weiss, Thunder Bay base manager of Wasaya Airways LP, said that NONTA helpedestablish a "partnership bringing together lodge operators and Wasaya Corporation," a move that proved beneficial to all parties. He said there are 404 confirmed bookings, between May 24 and the final trip of the season, Aug. 28.

Nellie Beardy, the Two River-Knife Lake Camp proprietor, said, "Now that travel arrangements are more convenient, our product sells itself."

A concern for the tourism industry has been the American and British war in Iraq, which has resulted in decreased travel to many popular destinations. Rogoza, Rezny, and Weiss agreed, however, that there has been no decrease in their bookings because of the war.

"Actually bookings are up 25 per cent," said Weiss.

Rogoza believes that these northern Ontario packages are perfect for the cautious traveller, because the destination is close to home for Americans.

Not only has this venture brought revenue to the camps, but also to many First Nations surrounding the lakes. New jobs are being created for pilots, camp attendants and service workers.

Webequie has prospered and has a newly created five-star hotel. The town also has plans for a butcher shop, bakery, northern retail boutique and convenience store.

Rezny said in the future they'll add a night stop in Webequie to the fishing vacation packages. Guests will then be able to enjoy Aboriginal culture and the comforts of a hotel before heading into the bush.

Other visions for the future include adding more lake destinations to the packages.

If fishing isn't your dream vacation, Moccasin Trails Inc. offers a chance to connect with the spirit of nature through Hudson Bay Polar Bear Park Expeditions, a wildlife viewing adventure that takes you 600 miles from the nearest city. They can also hook you up with James Bay Wilderness Adventures, Beartrack Cultural Wilderness Adventures, Anishanabai Tipi Camp and Ka-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre. All combine hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and a chance to see and participate in traditional Native lif.