Fort Simpson is about to receive a majot boost to their tourism sector.
Michael McLeod, the Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, made the announcement earlier this week that $25k will be going towards Fort Simpson’s K’ıyelı Tourism Services, with the money coming from the Indigenous Tourism Fund’s Micro and Small Business Stream. This is part of a larger movement lead by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, which works with provincial and territorial governments to support their tourism industries.
K’ıyelı Tourism Services has been a part of the Fort Simpson community for many years, offering interpretation and cultural education services to their visitors. They are hoping to soon become one of the key providers of Dene cultural tourism in the Dehcho area.
In a statement during the announcement, Michael McLeod said that “Indigenous tourism has the power to create opportunities, transform Canadian tourism and advance reconciliation. That’s why helping it grow and thrive is one of our top priorities. Through this Indigenous-led process, we are supporting communities in making their own decisions and developing tourism at their own pace. I look forward to seeing the difference that this funding makes in Fort Simpson.
The Micro and Small Business Stream chooses their recipients by taking a look at any barriers in place working against the business, and their visitor and export readiness. They make sure that the business is in a position where they will use the money they are given responsibly.
