Aboriginal Tourism

This series offers the experience to explore the opportunities and realities of Aboriginal Tourism development. This
week-long series will share the stories of various Aboriginal Tourism initiatives at the community and operator level
within the Vancouver Island region. Participants will travel to different locations and learn from the stakeholders
involved in Aboriginal Tourism developments in Alert Bay, Tofino and Ucluelet.

DATES: June 8-13th, 2015

Itinerary:
June 8th- 10th

Travel North on Vancouver Island and visit the territory of the Kwakwakawakw. During our visit to Alert
Bay we will begin to unpack the complex and dynamic history of their people in Canada and utilize
Aboriginal Tourism as the medium to understand where we are currently situated. The first half of the
trip will focus on framing our experience through a cultural revitalization lens.
Sessions include:

June 11th - 13th

Framing Aboriginal Tourism

Cultural Revitilization Umista Cultural Centre
Storytelling Culture Shock Gallery
Promoting Aboriginal Tourism in BC

Next we will travel to the West Coast and speak with community members from both the Tla-o-qui-aht
and Ucluelet First Nations. This latter part of the trip will focus on place, collaboration and economic
development.
Sessions include:

In-Place Stories: Paddle to Meares Island

Partnerships in Aboriginal Tourism
Community Economic Development
Relationship to Promoting and Protecting Places: Collaboration between Aboriginal
Communities and Parks Canada

A public lecture with VIU faculty: Dr. Suzanne de la Barre and Rob Ferguson will also form part of our
tour.

Suzanne de la Barre, PhD Understanding Aboriginal Tourism through local and global perspectives
(tentative title).
Rob Ferguson A Tale of Two Nations: Investigating the Role of Aboriginal Tourism in Fostering Cultural
Identity and Socio-Economic Sustainability (tentative title)

Benefits of participating in the tour

Participants on the tour will benefit by being actively involved in face to face discussions with people and organizations who
have been innovators in the development of successful Aboriginal Tourism operations;
Sessions will expose participants to the complexity of Aboriginal Tourism moving between and weaving together individual
stories and the larger dynamics of Aboriginal economic and community development initiatives within Canada and
internationally;
Speakers represent a broad range of stakeholder groups and showcase the importance of collaboration in aboriginal
tourism;
Participants will be engaged in learning about Aboriginal heritage and the present-day challenges and opportunities faced
by Canadas indigenous peoples

Course facilitators:

Dr. Suzanne de la Barre, Faculty, Vancouver Island University

Rob Ferguson, Faculty, Vancouver Island University
David Pinel, Faculty, North Island College
Dr. Nicole L. Vaugeois, BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development

Price:
$1700 Practitioner rate includes:

Road travel departing from and returning to Nanaimo.

Accommodation. Practitioners are housed in a private room.

Alert Bay Oceanview Cabins & Tofino Middle Beach Lodge

Learning resources such as speakers, course materials and online tools

$1200 Student rate (enrolled for credit at VIU) includes:

Road travel departing from and returning to Nanaimo, the base for all learning tours.

Accommodation. Students are housed based on double occupancy and should expect to share a room.

Alert Bay Oceanview Cabins & Tofino Middle Beach Lodge

Learning resources such as speakers, course materials and online tools

Additional participant expenses:

Tuition fees for student credit. Students must register for course credit and pay tuition through Vancouver Island University.
Learning resources (e.g., if a participant needs to print any of the learning resources)
Travel to and from Nanaimo
All meals (except 3 breakfasts during stay in Tofino)
For more information please contact
Spending money

Dr. Nicole Vaugeois:

How can I register?

Fill out the application form at: www.worldleisureviu.org

Pay online at: https://www2.viu.ca/pdt/courses/rec-tour.asp

Email: Nicole.Vaugeois@viu.ca
Phone: 250-753-3245 Local 1-2772