Aboriginal Tourism - Industry Development

Advocacy

ATAC - Aboriginal Tourism Advisory Council
ATC - Aboriginal Tourism Canada
AHLA - Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association

Skills

Blue Quills First Nations College
Bredin Institute
Métis Nation of Alberta
Native Friendship Centres
Oteenow, Employment & Training Society
Portage College
The office of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
Treaty 7 Management Corporation
Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta

Services

Travel Alberta - Don Wilson, In-province and Aboriginal tourism marketing
Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture (TPRC) - Craig Olstead, Aboriginal Tourism Development

Advocacy

Aboriginal Tourism Advisory Council (ATAC):
The Aboriginal Tourism Advisory Council is an advisory group that provides information and guidance to the Tourism Development Branch of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture (TPRC) on issues related to Aboriginal tourism development and marketing.

The Council's membership is drawn from diverse applicants from across the province and from Aboriginal tourism operations at both community and individual levels. The membership consists of 13 appointed members selected from voluntary applications, for a one-year period. There are ten Aboriginal members and three Government members, who meet four times a year.

For information on ATAC, please contact:
Craig Olmstead, Aboriginal Tourism Advisor/ ATAC Coordinator,
Email: craig.olmstead@gov.ab.ca
Phone: (780) 427-0590

Aboriginal Tourism Canada (ATC):
ATC is a partnership of business and government, whose mission is to influence and develop tourism policies and programs t benefit Aboriginal people in Canada. ATC's vision is to represent Aboriginal people as world leaders in tourism in harmony with our cultures.

For more information from ATC, please contact:
Linda Webber, A/Executive Director,
Email: lwebber@AboriginalTourism.ca
Website: http://www.aboriginaltourism.ca
Phone: 1-800-724-7872

Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA):
The Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association is a voluntary association that serves Alberta's tourism and hospitality industry. With more than 850 member properties across Alberta, our association represents hotels, motels, campgrounds, inns, resorts, bed & breakfasts and lodges.

For more information from AHLA, please contact:
#401 - Centre 104, 5241 Calgary Trail
Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5G8
Email: fwenger@ahla.ca
Website: http://www.ahla.ca
Phone: 1-800-436-6112

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Skills

Blue Quills First Nations College (St. Paul, AB):
As an aboriginal educational institution, one of our prime objectives is to promote a sense of pride in Native heritage. To attain this goal, accredited courses in Native language and studies are offered in all programs. Students are invited to participate in a number of ceremonies led by Elders representing various First Nations' communities.

Although the majority of programs and courses are developed and delivered by Blue Quills First Nations College, many of our courses are accredited by the partner institutions which include Athabasca University, the University of Alberta and the University of Regina.

For more information on Blue Quills programs, please contact
Sherri Chisan, Leadership & Management Program Coordinator
Box 279
St. Paul, Alberta T0A 3A0
Email: sherric@bluequills.ca
Website: http://www.bluequills.ca
Phone: 1-888-645-4455

Bredin Institute (Youth Connections):
Bredin Institute's - Centre for Learning is dedicated to successful employment training and development by providing innovative, flexible programs; by treating people with dignity and respect; and by responding to the economic needs of the individual and the community.

Bredin Institute offers employment assistance programs to youth, adults and newcomers to Canada. Our training programs are responsive to the labour market requirements of our community and include licensed certificates in the health care field, entry level trades, foreign credential bridging, health and safety certificates and personal development.

For more information on Bredin Institute's programs, please contact
Bredin Institute - Centre for Learning
Suite 500, Capital Place
9707 - 110 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2L9
Phone: (780) 425-3730 Fax: (780) 426-3709
Toll Free: 1-877-273-3461
Email: bredin@bredin.ab.ca

Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA):
The Métis Nation of Alberta assumed responsibility for labour market programming from Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) in 1996.

Through this arrangement with HRDC, the MNA developed an apex delivery system, capable of providing efficient and effective results-oriented programs to Métis people across Alberta. In a recent comparison released by Canada, the MNA sits among the top five delivery structures under contract or agreements with HRDC which includes more than 300 agreements among Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal communities.

The MNA (AHRDA) labour market program, head-quartered in Edmonton, has six regional office locations situated throughout the province. Under the Labour Market Development Unit (LMDU), the AHRDA is implemented with staff at the MNA provincial office and staff at each of the six regional offices. In addition to providing support to LMDU staff at the regional level, the LMDU head-quarter staff prepares strategic plans, develop policies and procedures, liaise with the provincial and federal governments, provide staff training and prepare all reports necessary for a full accounting of the AHRDA program. The LMDU regional staff seeks out and initiates labour market initiatives locally and coordinates the selection and funding of local programs with assistance of local Project Selection Committees.

For more information on MNA programs, please contact
John Parkins, Manager of Economic Development and Special Projects
Email: jparkins@metis.org
Website: http://www.albertametis.com
Phone: 1-800-252-7553

Native Friendship Centres:
The mandate of the CNFC is to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people in an urban environment by supporting self-determined activities, encouraging equal access and participation in Canadian society all the while respecting Aboriginal cultural distinctiveness. The Canadian Native Friendship Centre is a non-profit, charitable, community service organization. From a drop-in centre where newly arrived Aboriginal people could mingle and socialize, the Centre has evolved to a multi-functional building in the city centre where programs and services are offered to members and the general public. We are proud of having developed and maintained a positive profile over the past forty-plus years and we are recognized for our promotion of tolerance and cross-cultural awareness.

For more information on Native Friendship Centres in you community, please contact
10336-121 St
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1K8
Email: anfca@anfca.com
Website: http://www.anfca.com
Phone: (780) 423-3138

Oteenow, Employment & Training Society:
The Oteenow Employment & Training Society will provide Human Resource Development Programs to First Nations people in the Edmonton metropolitan area to enable them to become self-reliant and subsequently lead productive lives.

The Mandate of the Oteenow Employment & Training Society is to provide Governance and Management of First Nation's Urban Resources to implement Labour Market Programs and services for the benefit of First Nation members residing in the Edmonton metropolitan area.

Our Mandate:

  1. Skills Development and Employment
  2. The provision of quality client-assisted services
  3. The formation of partnerships and
  4. Strengthened accountability with community involvement.
For more information on Oteenow Employment & Training Society, please contact
Suite 202, 10470-176 St.
Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1L3
Phone: (780) 444-0911
Email: admin@oteenow.com
Website: http://www.oteenow.com

Portage College (Lac La Biche):
Whatever your education and career goals, Portage College is here for you. We have more than 30 certificate and diploma programs from which you can choose, including career programs, trades and technical, academic upgrading and university studies.

For more information on Portage College's Arts and Tourism programs, please contact
Jacqueline Demarre
Phone: 1-866-623-5551
Email: Jacqueline.Demarre@portagecollege.ca
Website: http://www.portagecollege.ca

The office of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations:
The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations is dedicated to ensuring that the terms, spirit, and intent of Treaty Six are honoured and respected. The right of First Nations to self-determination must be honoured and respected - this includes the right to choose their own government and political structures, and to determine and direct the social, cultural, spiritual, and economic advancement of their people.

The Confederacy strives to fulfill its mandates through its primary functions, which include, but are not limited to:

  • Monitoring legislation's and policies that affect treaty rights
    • Assisting the First Nations to develop treaty positions, policies, and programs Educating people about treaties, through acting as a clearing house of information Conducting workshops and seminars Liaising with other organizations concerned with treaty issues
The Chiefs and Elders of the member First Nations have mandated the Confederacy to:
  • Advocate, protect, and enhance treaty rights
  • Reestablish the bilateral nation-to-nation relationship with the Imperial Crown, as confirmed by treaty
  • Lobby the international community, the United Nations, and other International fora for:
  • Recognition as nations with the right to self-determination
  • Respect for the International status of our treaty
  • The establishment of an International Agency to monitor treaty violations
  • Promote respect for Mother Earth
For more information on Treaty Six activities, please contact
Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations
Sub Office Suite 204, 10310-176 St.
Edmonton, Alberta
Phone: (780) 944-0334
Fax: (780) 944-0346

Treaty 7 Management Corporation:
Treaty 7 Management is an advisory services organization dedicated to servicing Treaty 7 First Nations. Treaty 7 Management Corp. is committed to providing effective advisory services for all Treaty 7 First Nations equally and in a manner which builds on the culture, strengths, commitment, and pride of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Tsuu T'ina, and Wesley Nations; in our journey towards self sufficiency and accountability, thereby protecting and affirming Treaty Rights.

For more information on Treaty 7 Management Corp. activities, please contact
Wayne Sugai, Regional Economic Partnership Coordinator
Suite 400, 9911 Chiila Blvd.
Tsuu T'ina, Alberta T2W 6H6
Email: wsugai@treaty7.org
Website: http://www.treaty7.org
Phone: 403-281-9779

Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta:
For more information on Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta activities, please contact

J.R. Giroux, Director of Economic Development
c/o Santa Fe Plaza
18178 - 102 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1S7
Email: jrgiroux@treaty8.org
Website: http://www.treaty8.ca
Phone: (780) 444-9366

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Services

Government services:

Travel Alberta:
Travel Alberta is the official destination marketing organization for the province of Alberta. Funded by the Government of Alberta through the four per cent Tourism Levy on accommodations, we promote Alberta as a tourist destination regionally, nationally, and internationally to increase the number of visitors to and within Alberta.

Alberta's tourism industry generates more than $5 billion in revenues plus more than $2.3 billion in taxation revenues to federal, provincial and municipal governments. The industry employs more than 103,000 people in every region of the province.
To learn more about Travel Alberta and our marketing programs, please visit
Travel Alberta's Industry website, or click on this link for
Travel Alberta's Aboriginal Tourism page,
http://www1.travelalberta.com/en-ab/index.cfm?pageid=267.

To contact Travel Alberta's In-Province and Aboriginal Tourism Marketing representative,
please email Don.Wilson@travelalberta.com, or
call (780) 732-1630.

Please Note: Travel Alberta only provides marketing assistance.
Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture provides business development assistance.
For Aboriginal Tourism development assistance, please contact:
TPRC's Aboriginal Tourism Advisor,
Craig.Olmstead@gov.ab.ca or
call (780) 427-0590.

Aboriginal Tourism Development:
Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture (TPRC)

Non-Government services:

Aboriginal Tourism Canada. For more information from ATC, please contact
Linda Webber, A/Executive Director
Email: lwebber@aboriginaltourism.ca
Website: http://www.aboriginaltourism.ca
Phone: 1-800-724-7872

Native Friendship centres. For more information on Native Friendship Centres in you community, please contact
10336-121 St
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1K8
Email: anfca@anfca.com
Website: http://www.anfca.com
Phone: (780) 423-3138

United Nations' World Tourism Organization. For more information from the UNWTO please contact,
Website: http://www.unwto.org/index.php

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. For more information from the UNPFII please contact,
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/

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