Award winner dedicated to culture

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Patricia Whitebear has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the tourism industry. She has received the 1997 Canadian Aboriginal Tourism Award, presented by Canadian Airlines International and the Journal of Aboriginal Tourism.

"I'm really honored to receive this award, and to be put in such a category. I'm very dedicated to my community and culture," said the White Bear tourism co-ordinator.

Whitebear advises other communities and entrepreneurs not to depend too heavily on financial backing.

"This really proves you don't need the big dollars to start out with. All you have to do is work really hard and make the contacts," she said.

Co-ordinator of tourism on the White Bear First Nations in southeastern Saskatchewan, Whitebear has demonstrated that positive results can develop through business partnerships with regional tourism bodies and the private sector.

"Patricia has achieved a high degree of awareness and success in creating package tours and tourism products in her community, through developing business partnerships with the private sector throughout her region and into the northern United States," said Ken Kinatsu, manager of leisure and tourism marketing at Canadian Airlines.

Whitebear has spearheaded a tourism program in her community that consists of the Bear Claw Lodge and Convention Centre; the Bear Claw Casino; and the White Bear Lake Golf and Country Resort. Every year she assists numerous community committees in the co-ordination of such events as the annual summer powwow and drum competition festival, the Canada Day and Aboriginal Day celebrations, plus the annual kick-off program during the May holiday weekend for the opening summer season at the White Bear Lake resort.

There are now cultural interpretative camps and tour packages bringing visitors into the southeast corner of Saskatchewan by regional and international operators.

As well, she developed the first Aboriginal tourism web site in Saskatchewan, the first exclusive tourism site operated by a First Nations community in Canada and distinct tourism brochures highlighting attractions in the region both on and off the reserve.

Whitebear has also been a strong supporter of the Moose Mountain Provincial Park, Kenosee Lake and Cannington Manor attractions in her region. Since 1997 she has organized off season activities that have included Wabimusquah, a Native entertainment and fashion show that has been sold out in each of its past two events. She's found time to co-ordinate the 20-member Bear Claw Youth Dance Troupe, which performs throughout western Canada, and to promote the skills of native artists in the White Bear community.

She developed a national media awareness program which saw articles on White Bear Tourism appear in a number of publications and newspapers including The Globe and Mail, Going Places, Chatelaine Travel, Native Network News and Canadian Traveller.

Through her efforts, White Bear Tourism became a proud member and supporter of Tourism Saskatchewan, Horizon Country (Southeast Regional Tourism Association) and has been affiliated with Carlyle Tourism and Moose Mountain Tourism.

She serves on the board of the White Bear Housing Authority and is president of the White Bear Tae Kwon-Do Club. Her son Matthew is a traditional dancer with the Bear Claw Youth Dance Troupe, and daughter Martina is just beginning to get involved in traditional dancing.

When asked how she finds the time for all these projects, Whitebear explained, "I am 100 per cent dedicated. I work very long hours, I work weekends, I'm constantly going from one job to another."

Being raised off the reserve, Whitebear found her way back in 1990. She feels her contributions are a way to honor her heritage.

"I have so much to be grateful for. I found my way back home, and I am dedicated to my community."

"My plans are to continue to train our youth, work with youth, and inspire our youth in all areas, not just tourism," she added.