Indigenous Canada
Incorporating Hotel Marques Indigenous de Riscal incentives
THERE ’ S A WIDE ARRAY OF INDIGENOUS-LED EXPERIENCES TO BE FOUND IN CANADA ; WHERE SHOULD AN INCENTIVES PLANNER BEGIN ?
A s 1.58m Indigenous People from over 600 individual communities call Canada home , not including Indigenous-led incentives on a Canadian MICE itinerary would deprive delegates of an authentic understanding of the country . Not only that , including Indigenous incentives in a thoughtful way can aid in empowering local communities and Indigenous economies . There are a variety of ways that Indigenous incentives can be incorporated meaningfully into an itinerary .
Learn by doing Visitors can get hands-on experience with tradition and culture with local guides . Experiences can include medicine walks with Indigenous guides , who walk visitors through landscapes such as Banff ’ s Mahikan Trails explaining the traditional uses of local flora in medicine . Groups might like to get involved in workshops where they get first-hand experience with Indigenous arts and crafts like a jewellery workshop , or through music and dance .
Learn by listening Involving Indigenous speakers and performers in an event can demonstrate core aspects of Indigenous traditions and culture with lasting impact , while also supporting reconciliation efforts by acknowledging the heritage of the earth beneath their feet .
Both individual storytellers and Cultural Centres such as Whistler ’ s Squamish Lil ’ wat Cultural Centre offer performances to visitors , where Indigenous traditions and history are taught through drums and songs .
Learn by looking The wild variety of the land and cultures in Canada means that no two trips are the same , and that rule also goes for incorporating Indigenous-led experiences into incentive itineraries . In Yellowknife , Northwest Territories , delegates can go ‘ aurora hunting ’. A calmer twist on storm chasing , expert Indigenous guides lead guests to the best locations to see the northern lights , while telling legends and stories from peoples such as the Dene .
Indigenous-led experiences are also an
Left : Dancers perform at the Victoria Aboriginal Cultural Festival in British Columbia
opportunity to show support for reconciliation , by taking part in activities such as the Calgary Stampede Powwow and other festivals nationwide . As Indigenous celebrations and ceremonies were made illegal during the late 1800s and early 1900s , getting involved in these Indigenous-led experiences supports the traditional communities .
Learn by eating Food is the way to anyone ’ s heart - and makes for some of the most memorable moments on an incentive trip . Many Cultural Centres offer traditional food and feasts for the incentive groups they host , individual guides can offer cooking workshops , and Indigenous-run restaurants can offer an authentic flavour .
Some incentives let delegates get hands-on with the cooking process . For example , on Lennox Island ( nearby Prince Edward Island ), visitors experience the traditional Mi ’ kmaq method for cooking Bannock bread and clams . While enjoying their feast , participants learn about the Mi ’ kmaq culture and history . n
ISSUE 127 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 49