ITAC’s 2025 Indigenous Tourism Awards Finalists Announced
Press Release
(Tiohtià:ke, Montréal, QC) – The finalists for ITAC’s 2025 Indigenous Tourism Awards were announced today. This year’s awards will be presented by WestJet alongside the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the 2025 International Indigenous Tourism Conference (#2025IITC) in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal, QC).
A highlight of IITC is the annual awards gala, ITAC presents the Indigenous Tourism Awards and represents the top in the industry. From outstanding businesses to sustainability, women, and thought leadership, the awards gala celebrates this past year’s excellence in tourism.
ITAC will be recognizing Indigenous-owned tourism associations, businesses, entrepreneurs, and people from across Canada who have demonstrated exceptional work in leadership, partnership, development and marketing, and business ethics.
“As we celebrate the 2025 Indigenous Tourism Awards finalists, we honour their unwavering commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and the growth of Indigenous tourism. These extraordinary operators showcase the richness and diversity of our industry, inspiring others to embark on their own journeys of entrepreneurship in Indigenous tourism,” says Keith Henry, CEO and President of ITAC. “We look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements of Indigenous entrepreneurs from coast to coast to coast!”
More than 90 nominations were received this year, underscoring the growth and importance of Indigenous tourism experiences from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Each year, nominees must be majority Indigenous-owned/controlled and provide tourism experiences or tourism-related services.
The finalists for each category include:
Exceptional Cultural Experience Award
Recognizes a business or attraction that has developed and delivers an exceptional Indigenous cultural and guest experience. Through storytelling, traditional and cultural knowledge, this awards celebrates the positive impact and power their experience has had on their visitors.
Elsipogtog Heritage Path Tour (NB)
Musée des Abénakis (QC)
Onhwa’ Lumina / Tourisme Wendake (QC)
Extraordinary Female Entrepreneur Award
Recognizes an empowered and strong Indigenous female entrepreneur within the tourism industry and across Canada, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting other women in her industry, embodying leadership within her business and/or community.
Alexis Hotel – Carol Burden (NL)
Matsheshu Créations – Raphaëlle Langevin (QC)
Mother Earth Essentials – Carrie Armstrong (AB)
Indigenous Culinary Tourism Award
Recognizes a business or individual in the Indigenous culinary industry. Bridging traditional recipes with regional-based ingredients and creating exciting new experiences for guests, these trail blazers are rocking the culinary world with their flair and fusion.
Pollen Nation Farm (NL)
Restaurant La Traite (QC)
La Brasserie Nonsuch Brewing Co (MB)
Indigenous Destination Development Award
Recognizes a thriving community in tourism business development at an inspirational rate. This award will go to a community who has created economic development an social/cultural advancement through their community enterprises while also creating opportunities for entrepreneurship to flourish.
Pemiska Tourism (SK)
Tin Wis Resort (BC)
Tourisme Wendake (QC)
ITQ Best Enterprise of The Year
Recognizes a member of Indigenous Tourism Quebec (ITQ) for its achievements in leadership, marketing, partnership, development, sustainability and more. This award celebrates their growth, contribution and accomplishments to the Indigenous tourism industry and in their communities.
Abenaki Adventure Camping (QC)
Nibiischii Corporation (QC)
Onhwa’ Lumina / Tourisme Wendake (QC)
Leading the Way in Sustainability Award
Recognizes a business that is not only committed to fostering a sustainable future for their business and community, but has made significant and measurable impacts on one or all of the following areas: Social sustainability, cultural sustainability, and environmental sustainability.
Abenaki Adventure Camping (QC)
Thrive Tours (ON)
Upper Humber Settlement (NL)
New Operator or Business that Launched a New Experience
Recognizes the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of a new business or experience that opened to visitors in 2024. This accolade celebrates and commends the vision, dedication and effort of opening a new business and/or adding a new experience. This award recognizes a venture that not only provides an exceptional experience for visitors but also respects and honours Indigenous traditions, stories, and values. The recipient will have demonstrated creativity, commitment to cultural authenticity, and a positive impact on their community and the broader tourism landscape.
Dragonfly Spirit Creeations (AB)
Mamattuk (NL)
Ungava Polar Eco-Tours Inc (QC)
Outstanding Staff Person Award
Recognizes an outstanding Indigenous tourism employee who has brought a high level of excellence to their organization, company or business through their pride, dedication and professionalism in the preservation and sharing of their culture and traditions that enhances visitor experience.
Ahous Adventures – Wh?aala, Savannah George (BC)
Dakota Dunes – Anna Buffalo (SK)
Métis Crossing – Lilyrose Meyers (AB)
Provincial or Territorial Association of the Year
Recognizes a Provincial or Territorial Association that has demonstrated excellence in all aspects of ITAC’s 4 Pillars, Leadership, Partnership, Development & Marketing to build a resilient Indigenous tourism industry. Celebrating the spirit of partnership, this provincial or territorial leader will demonstrate their connection to Indigenous and non-Indigenous industry through commitment and collaboration with local, provincial,territorial, national and/or international partners.
The Original Original Industry Leadership Award
Recognizes a business or organization leading the way in Canadian Indigenous tourism. By demonstrating excellence in all aspects of its business, such as marketing campaigns, Trip Advisor reviews, revenues generated, low staff turnover and repeat customers. This includes businesses who applied for the Original Original Accreditation Program and received a high score across the board in being an authentic Indigenous business, providing an outstanding and authentic Indigenous experience not to be missed on a travellers next Canadian itinerary.
Cape Crocker Park (ON)
KWE! A la rencontre des peuples autochtone (QC)
Talking Rock Tours (AB)
The association thanks everyone who submitted a nomination for ITAC’s 2025 Indigenous Tourism Awards!
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