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First Nations tourism seen as huge opportunity for corridor

Provincial government makes sizeable investment in new Capilano College program For four years Sam George trained and worked as a guide in the tourism industry.

Provincial government makes sizeable investment in new Capilano College program

For four years Sam George trained and worked as a guide in the tourism industry.

Now at 35-years-old he has plans to start his own business in eco-tourism, but his adventures will have a twist.

George wants to take Sea to Sky visitors on a path of discovery, sharing the historical stories and traditional sites of the area’s First Nations communities.

"People want to find out the history of the land," said George, a member of the Squamish Nation.

"(There’s) whole history before the books."

A brand new program at Capilano College, the First Nations Tourism Management Co-operative Diploma, will help him on this entrepreneurial path.

The 18-month program was officially launched on Friday, March 12 at Totem Hall in Squamish.

George is one of 34 students reaping the benefits of this program and planning for the future.

"Everybody’s excited about the opportunities that are in front of us and where we’ll end up," he said beneath the tall totem pole outside the hall.

The provincial government kicked in $400,000 for the program launch.

Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations Geoff Plant was at the launch last Friday, encouraging the students to take advantage of the program by finding new opportunities as well as creating them.

"If we can show the world (the) diversity of our province... (we’ll find) that people will keep coming back for more," he said.

"I think every time we create another success story... we show people that there is a great future for us as a province."

The program’s 34 new students are part of the Squamish, Lil’wat and Musqueam First Nations. They have been attending classes at the Squamish campus of Capilano College since the beginning of the year.

"(It’s) interesting, exciting and a lot of work," said George simply.

The students are going to class four days a week for almost eight hours a day. They are learning things like environmental stewardship, tourism marketing and tourism career preparation.

In the summer they must complete 500 hours in a tourism co-op before heading back to the classroom for more studies.

By spring 2005 they will have their diplomas in hand and a solid background to break into the tourism industry.

"It was kind of tough at the beginning," admitted Lorne Edmonds, a member of the Lil’wat Nation.

For the past seven years Edmonds has been working as a teacher’s assistant in Mount Currie.

Then he was offered the chance to go back to school.

Now the 27-year-old plans to continue his education after the tourism program wraps up.

"Everyone is supportive," he said.

His fellow community member, Martina Pierre, who is also a member of Lil’wat council and the dean of the Ts’zil Learning Centre in Mount Currie, said the program is a good way for the local First Nations communities to get prepared for the opportunities that will come with the 2010 Olympics.

"(There’s) a lot of need for renewal of who we are and identity building so that people will see the true Lil’wat in us," she said.

"(2010 is) a big opportunity for tourism, (for) showcasing our stories, which tell our world view, our values and beliefs."

Likewise Henry Williams, a member of Squamish Nation, saw great opportunities for the young people in his community coming out of this initiative.

"The more we can get our people educated in fields they like it not only opens the door for them but it opens the door for upcoming generations," he said.

"This is something that we can share with the rest of the world, it they want it."

The provincial government has invested $26 million into 124 projects like this one that promote First Nations business skills and stimulate economic development.

In addition to tourism, B.C. has been encouraging participation in shellfish aquaculture, forestry, oil and gas sectors as well as the 2010 Olympic Games.

As such, the government has kicked in $3 million for the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations Cultural Centre in Whistler, which will go in the forested area opposite the Blackcomb Day Lodge.

The Mount Currie and Douglas First Nations have also received $230,000 for work involving independent power projects in their areas.

But looking at the bigger picture Squamish Mayor Ian Sutherland said this opportunity is about partnerships with communities and their neighbouring First Nations communities.

"The opportunities will not come unless we all work together," he said.

He sees this program as one more opportunity in the corridor to give residents access to more education, pointing out that the Sea to Sky University will be opening its door in 2006.

"We’re going to look back and say this was the start of something special," he said at the launch.

The First Nations Tourism Management Program is a unique fit with the college’s tourism program, which has been in place for 18 years.

"This unique educational partnership is enabling students from three First Nations communities to meet the growing demands for cultural tourism opportunities in (the Sea to Sky) region," said Dr. Greg Lee, president of Capilano College.

"The 2010 Olympics in Whistler represents a significant milestone in moving towards establishing sustainable First Nations tourism within the corridor from Vancouver to Mount Currie."

For Sam George the Olympics are just the beginning. He said the Games will provide the world with a small taste of the First Nations’ cultural history and experience.

"If they want the full meal they’ll have to come here," he said.

For more information about the program go to the Capilano College Web site at www.capcollege.bc.ca