The power of stories and song
SAT IN A QUIET DARKENED HALL IN A LUXURY LONDON HOTEL , CMW ’ S CATIE OWEN LISTENED TO THE MESMERISING DRUMBEATS AND SONG OF INDIGENOUS DRUMMER MATRICIA BAUER , WHO TOOK CENTRE STAGE
A head of the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada , held this year on 30 September , Destination Canada invited 20 event professionals to learn more about how Indigenous communities interact with the country ’ s MICE industry . The event was part of Destination Canada ’ s sustainability plan for business events , launched at IMEX Frankfurt 2022 .
Matricia Bauer , also called Iskatochitawachiy ( She who moves mountains ), is a member of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation . She is also a survivor of the Sixties Scoop – which saw thousands of Indigenous children in Canada taken from their own families to be raised by non-Indigenous families . Bauer introduced the gathering to her initiative – Warrior Women . The collective and Indigenous drumming group allows Matricia to
Matricia Bauer explains the imagery on her drum educate audiences on reconciliation , cultural tourism and MICE , and the full benefits of cultural sustainability . Matricia spoke with Catie Owen in more depth about experiences and teachings .
Catie Owen : Can you tell us about your work in cultural tourism ? Matricia Bauer : Cultural tourism is really important in Canada , simply because the Indigenous story hasn ’ t always been told by Indigenous Peoples . Because it hasn ’ t been told by Indigenous Peoples it has been misrepresented ; it ’ s been represented inaccurately and from a colonised point of view .
I do cultural tourism in Jasper , Alberta , but it has taken me all over the world . It ’ s my privilege to be able to share my story , and in doing that it helps cultural sustainability by maintaining our story and our culture . By telling my story to people , it allows people to understand who I am . If people understand who I am , maybe they won ’ t do the things that they have done to our people in the past .
I talk about my stories ; the beautiful ways that I have healed through ceremony ; and how I ’ ve raised my children . By doing all of that I ’ ve had the privilege to share it with people from all over the world and support myself through tourism .
CO : How are Indigenous Peoples currently overlooked and neglected by the MICE industry , and how can we improve ? MB : Often Indigenous Peoples are put at the forefront of events in a position where they ’ re entertaining . But that ’ s why it ’ s so important to hear their voice , ask questions , and for them to be able to tell their story . When I tell my story , people learn to know the person that I am . That establishes communication , which then establishes relationships . By Indigenising myself and decolonising my spaces , I ’ m increasing my ability to create relationships .
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