The world is watching: new letters of support for ITAC

Press Release

The words of those standing with ITAC and Indigenous tourism.

To our members, partners and the Indigenous tourism community:

Letters of support continue to arrive at ITAC every day. Each one represents time taken out of someone’s day to write in their own voice, with their own arguments, about why Indigenous tourism matters and why ITAC’s national role must be protected.

This week I want to share a small sample of the letters that have come in, and to thank everyone who has written. The voices below are only a fraction of what is in our inbox, but they show the range of perspectives now standing alongside ITAC: Indigenous operators from Arctic Bay to the Tsuut’ina Nation, partners building Canadian itineraries with Indigenous experiences at the centre and international peer organizations watching this moment from around the world.

From our members

Indigenous tourism operators have written from across the country, in their own words, about what ITAC has meant to their businesses and communities. Here are excerpts from four recent member letters:

“Please continue to support Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, Indigenous business and Canadian sovereignty by showcasing Canada’s Arctic and Indigenous cultures in a positive and productive environment.”

— Arctic Bay Adventures, Arctic Bay, Nunavut (100% owned by the Hamlet of Arctic Bay; 41 of 42 employees on payroll in 2025 were Arctic Bay residents, 39 of them Inuit and NTI Beneficiaries)

“To see ITAC receive zero operational funding is incredibly discouraging for many of us who have worked hard to build strong Indigenous tourism experiences and partnerships across Canada.”

— Kevin Yates, Vice President, Tsuut’ina Hospitality, Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, Tsuut’ina Nation, Alberta

“ITAC plays a central and irreplaceable role in advancing Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-controlled tourism experiences across the country, while ensuring that authenticity, cultural integrity, and community benefit remain at the core of the industry.”

— Jonathan Grenier, Owner and Operator, Ungava Polar Eco-Tours, Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (Quebec)

“Wanuskewin has greatly benefited from the expertise, mentorship, and national leadership provided by ITAC. Their support has contributed to our continued growth and international recognition, including Wanuskewin’s journey toward becoming Canada’s 23rd UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

— Andrew McDonald, Co-Executive Director, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

From our partners

Tour operators, industry partners and international peer organisations have also written in support of ITAC’s national role and the work of the broader Indigenous tourism sector. Here are excerpts from three of those letters:

“ITAC has been a global leader in Indigenous tourism development. It is widely regarded as a success story and a beacon of hope by countries around the world. Now, the world is watching as federal funding for Indigenous tourism in Canada has been reduced by 87% over the past three years; at a time when the Canadian tourism industry is already facing unprecedented challenges.”

— Brett Walker, GM Canada & International Operations, and Melissa Snape, Head of Corporate Citizenship, Collette, Mississauga, Ontario

“The success of Indigenous tourism cannot depend solely on the passion and resilience of local operators. National coordination, advocacy, training, partnerships, and international marketing matter. ITAC has provided that leadership for years, and the loss of that capacity would have significant consequences not only for Indigenous tourism operators, but for Canada’s tourism industry as a whole.”

— John Gunter, CEO, Frontiers North Adventures, Winnipeg, Manitoba

“Through its leadership, ITAC has successfully built bridges between governments, communities, organizations, and tourism markets, generating capacities, training opportunities, quality standards, and collaborative networks that today serve as an example for multiple Indigenous tourism initiatives throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.”

— Wilfredo Bacian Delgado, President, Asociación Gremial de Empresas de Turismo Indígena de Tarapacá (TITA A.G.), Chile

Please keep writing

This is a small selection. Many more letters have arrived and continue to arrive each week, and we read every one. If you have not yet written to the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism, please do so this week. If you have already written, please ask a colleague, partner or supplier to do the same. Every additional letter strengthens the case for renewed federal investment in Indigenous tourism.

On the social impact funding, ITAC and our partner met three times since my last update. We are awaiting written confirmation of next steps later this week and I will share the timeline as soon as I have it.

With gratitude,

Keith Henry
President and CEO
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

Send your letter of support to:

The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6

rechie.valdez@parl.gc.ca

Media Contacts

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