How one Sask. First Nation is using tourism as an education tool

Allison Bamford reports on Sask. First Nations sharing their history and culture through tourism, with the hope of educating visitors about Canada’s past.

One Saskatchewan First Nation is marketing itself as an Indigenous tourism destination in hopes of educating visitors on Canada’s dark past.

In the heart of Treaty Six Territory, tourists can explore the land, history and culture of Saskatchewan’s Willow Cree people, while playing their role in reconciliation, according to Kevin Seesequasis, director for community and tourism development with the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation.

“We’ve always seen this place, this space, this territory as a gathering place,” Seesequasis said.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action include recommendations to foster Indigenous tourism as a means of cultural education and economic development.

For decades, Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation has seen the potential in becoming a tourism destination.

“As far back as 1988, our community leaders have talked about tourism as a catalyst for cultural regeneration, language revitalization and sharing stories,” Seesequasis said.

The First Nation created Pêmiska Tourism in 2018. Pêmiska means “come and find it” in Cree, according to tourism marketing officer Collin Alexander.

“It’s really an invitation for guests to come into Beardy’s and experience Indigenous culture, and come find us, and find a little bit about themselves, too,” Alexander said.

Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation sits on Treaty Six Territory in central Saskatchewan, about 45 minutes north of Saskatoon. The area is rich in historical significance.

Treaty Six was signed in the area nearly 150 years ago at Fort Carlton, which is now a national historic site. The first battle of the North-West Resistance – the Battle of Duck Lake – took place on Beardy’s and Okemasis land, and it’s the site of the former St. Michael’s Indian Residential School that burned down in 2001.

“It’s very, very important for us to be able to share those stories with Canadians who want to learn more about reconciliation, and want to learn how to interact with reconciliation,” Seesequasis said.

Indigenous tourism has accelerated in the last decade, according to the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC). There are about 2,700 businesses across Canada that are owned and operated by Indigenous entrepreneurs or communities.

“We’ve been saying for years that Indigenous tourism is reconciliation in action,” ITAC president and CEO Keith Henry said. “It helps bring economic stability for our artists, our culture and our languages in ways that it’s not all relying on government investments.”

Pêmiska Tourism is coming off its busiest summer to date and plans to stay open for the winter, marking the first time it will operate year-round.

The organization offers historical tours, reconciliation ATV rides, guided canoe trips, cultural and language programming, bannock making and treaty education. Visitors can also stay in tipi-inspired lodges located in Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park.

Maycie Gardypie, Pêmiska Tourism’s experience development officer, first started working there this summer. She was born and raised in Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation, but she never really knew the history of the land.

“I think this is a really good opportunity for myself as well as for a lot of our community members to have that access,” she said.

“It’s a really rich history of how we came to be as Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation … It’s our family, our ancestors, our lineage ties back to all of these main events in history.”

Tourists from around the world have visited the First Nation. On each tour, everyone always learns something.

“We’re just really proud and honoured that people see our space as a destination to come and learn a little bit more,” Seesequasis said.