Tourism association takes off

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An Aboriginal centre created to sustain local Aboriginal businesses affiliated with tourism received a cash injection of $293,098 from the Ontario government last month.

The G'Nadjiwon Ki Aboriginal Tourism Association in Midland was created in 1999 to allow Aboriginal people to make a living from tourism that celebrates their culture and heritage, said Jack Contin, executive director of the association. Local artisans and entrepreneurs have their products on display there, including oil paintings, sketches, moccasins and other handiwork. The association, which specializes in small business development and tourism, covers Simcoe North, an area stretching from the north end of Barrie to just south of Gravenhurst, and stretching east from Christian Island over to Gamebridge. It includes the counties of Muskoka, Simcoe, York, Grey and Grey-Bruce.

"The intent of the government is to create a climate of more self-reliance for Aboriginals," said Garfield Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North, which encompasses the Midland area.

The grant has enabled the association to provide space for two full-time businesses with two employees each - a research and development company called the Healing Lodge and a music recording company. It's also allowed G'Nadjiwon to hire an accountant and to provide on-site and off-site jobs to dancers and story-tellers.

"The performing artists will do gigs at places like the Deerhurst Inn and Casino Rama, where they always feature professional entertainers," said Contin, who has a marketing and development background and 15 years experience working for the federal government. "We chose Midland as the site for this centre because there are seven Aboriginal groups close by and it's right in the heart of southern Ontario's tourism hotbed."

Contin said some of his employees are taking a hospitality course specializing in First Nations tourism, a brand of tourism that will be marketed throughout Ontario and Quebec.

"We hope to eventually sell Aboriginal tourism packages, which would have people come for a few days to sample a variety of the best highlights of Native life," he said. "They might see a dance and do a workshop on the first day, while the second day could involve a medicine walk through the woods and some story-telling. Guests would stay in local motels and likely eat some traditional Native foods."

G'Nadjiwon Ki owns 45 acres of vacant land that Contin says will be used for an RV campground, an outdoor amphitheatre and an Ojibway cultural village.

"We want to be able to offer placements for Native students to train in Aboriginal tourism," Contin added. G'Nadjiwon Ki already is partnered with area businesses, such as Muskoka Heritage Village, which also might be able to employ the students.