The Office of Michael McLeod, the Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, has announced that five separate Indigenous businesses have received a substantial funding investment.
This investment is coming from the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada as they work to roll out their $10 million Indigenous Tourism Fund (ITF), which is designed to specifically aid tourism businesses run by Indigenous owners.
Five NWT businesses will be receiving a combined total of $121,866 as part of the ITF’s Micro and Small Business Stream. The ITF as a whole is aiming to support Indigenous tourism to allow for long-term, sustainable growth.
In order to make sure the money is used properly, an important requirement for the funding is to have the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada identify hurdles and obstacles in the way of these businesses that may be holding them back.
MP McLeod shared his thoughts on the impact that this investment can lead to.
“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 here in the NWT.”
The five NWT businesses selected for this investment are among 68 Indigenous tourism businesses that have also been selected across the country. Each business is receiving their investment through non-repayable grants of up to $25,000.
