Whitecourt Isga Tourism Association will facilitate and encourage a process of cultural reclamation and dedication to social responsibility that will benefit all participants and entrepreneurs alike who will operate the camp for the purpose of posterity.

We do this by our keen interests to rekindle the indigenous community spirit because we want more than anything else but to overcome the cross-cultural barriers that exist between first nation communities and local municipalities.

Empowering Indigenous Entrepreneurs

CONTENT FROM EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS REPORT
PUBLISHED APRIL 17, 2023
THE GLOBE & MAIL

For hundreds of years, the ancestors of Bear Mustus erected a tipi village on land that holds deep meaning for the Nakota people. It is his vision to restore the village – in partnership with Catalyste+ and Indigenous Tourism Alberta – to share Indigenous history and culture.
GAVIN JOHN

Mentorship program helps build cultural reclamation through tourism

If the deep snow and fallen trees make the going tough for Bear Mustus, he gives no indication. He pauses knee-deep in the fluffy snow and points skywards to a break in the trees. The newer growth of trees creates a line through the almost impenetrable bulwark of old growth black spruce. Despite the harsh weather, thick forest and trailless features, Mustus finds the old wagon trail.

“This is our land,” Mustus says with pride as he motions to the ancient trail. “We’ve been here for many generations, and the village will celebrate that.”

The land is part of a proposal between Mustus and Alberta Parks to create a traditional tipi village that would restore the site to use by the Nakota people. In a partnership with Indigenous Tourism Alberta and Catalyste+, this vision is becoming a reality through a unique mentorship program targeting Indigenous tourism companies across Alberta, one of 16 Indigenous tourism companies that are benefiting from the Catalyste+ mentorship program.

GAVIN JOHN

Catalyste+ is an economic development organization with projects across Canada and in over 30 countries around the world. The mentorship program is now in its second year of operation in partnership with Indigenous Tourism Alberta. The program provides Indigenous tourism companies the opportunity to work with mentors who are former and current leaders in the tourism industry.

Mustus grew up on the land just outside of Whitecourt, Alberta, and inherited a deep understanding of the traditional uses of the land. He currently works as a historical consultant for many industries working in the region. His intimate knowledge as a “bushman,” hunting and trapping throughout his life on traditional land, means he is well versed in the stories the land holds.

One story is most meaningful to him. For hundreds of years, his ancestors erected a tipi village on the banks of the McLeod Lake, or “Good Fish Lake” by the Indigenous people who called it home. The lake, surrounded by Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park 20 kilometres from the Alexis Whitecourt Nation, holds deep meaning for the Nakota people.

The village became an important stop on the route that was connected by an old wagon trail that was part of the pilgrimage to Lac Ste. Anne over 100 kilometres away. Mustus hopes to restore the village as it would have been in the years before the provincial park was established.

“Old is new,” Mustus says with a laugh as he describes the appeal of such a project. The village would not just be a tourist attraction, but a way for cultural reclamation and reconciliation.

“They’re losing connection to their culture, their language and their history,” he says about the Indigenous youth in his community.

GAVIN JOHN

Last year, Mustus applied for the Catalyste+ mentorship and already sees substantial value in participating. His Catalyste+ mentor, Peter Homulos, helped with strategic planning, project implementation and permit applications, areas where Mustus admits he needed a lot of guidance. “Working with Peter has been a dream,” he says. “He got me to where I am now; I had the inspiration and motivation to push forward.”

According to Mustus, Homulos, who is not Indigenous, was open to understanding Indigenous ways of thinking – and incorporated those into their work together. This collaboration was reconciliation in action for Mustus and, in his mind, bodes well for the future of Indigenous tourism.

“The mentorship has been so successful,” says Mackenzie Brown, director of Industry Development for Indigenous Tourism Alberta. “We’re now up to 16 businesses from 12 last year, and it is now a full six-month mentorship.”

Brown, whose Cree name is Kamâmak, sees the importance of mentorship with Indigenous companies and building meaningful relationships. “Indigenous tourism is an approachable way of learning about truth and reconciliation,” she says. “When you take part in it, you’re opening that door to the tipi.”

Like Mustus, Brown regards the program – and Indigenous tourism as a whole – as a way to bridge the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across the province.

GAVIN JOHN

“When we honour both sides, that’s when we see change: change that truly impacts the next generation,” she adds.

Once completed, the tipi village is just the start of Mustus’s vision to reclaim land, culture and community in a way that shares Indigenous history with everyone.

GAVIN JOHN

Mustus motions around him to the small clearing among the trees and traces a wide circle that would encompass the radius of a tipi. He envisions a village that could be replicated across the province on many of the other nearby First Nation lands – and on traditional territory with the goal of cultural preservation.

“This is not just a tipi village,” Mustus says, “this is conservation of our culture, language and history.”

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As a registered public foundation, the Whitecourt Isga Tourism Association is obligated to return 50% of our annual income to qualifying registered charities.

These donations will focus on charities that support the cultural reclamation process, as well as members of the indigenous community, specifically youth and youth programming.

Our foundation’s emphasis is to support education; seeking partnerships with the surrounding school boards to offer educational experiences focusing on history and traditional culture.

Learn more about our Charitable and Social Responsibilities

The Importance of Cultural Reclamation for Community Development

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of cultural reclamation in community development. This is particularly true in First Nations communities, where cultural practices and traditions have often been suppressed or lost due to colonization and other historical factors. In this article, we will explore the significance of cultural reclamation in community development, and how it can overcome cross-cultural barriers, improve social wellbeing and community spirit, and promote accountability among entrepreneurs.

Understanding Cultural Reclamation

Cultural reclamation refers to the process of reclaiming cultural practices, traditions, and values that have been lost or suppressed over time. This process is particularly important for First Nations communities, which have faced a long history of colonization and forced assimilation. Cultural reclamation involves reconnecting with traditional practices and values, such as language, spirituality, and community governance, and integrating them into modern-day life.

Overcoming Cross-Cultural Barriers

One of the most significant benefits of cultural reclamation is its ability to overcome cross-cultural barriers between First Nations communities and municipalities. When cultural practices and traditions are suppressed or lost, it can be difficult for community members to connect with others outside their community. This can lead to misunderstandings, mistrust, and even conflict.

However, when cultural practices and traditions are re-established, it creates a shared sense of identity and purpose among community members. This, in turn, can help to break down barriers between communities and municipalities and foster greater understanding and cooperation.

Improving Social Wellbeing and Community Spirit

Cultural reclamation also has a significant impact on social wellbeing and community spirit. When cultural practices and traditions are re-established, it creates a sense of pride and belonging among community members. This, in turn, can lead to improved mental health, increased social support, and greater overall wellbeing.

Furthermore, cultural practices and traditions often involve collective action and cooperation. This can help to foster a sense of community spirit and solidarity, as community members work together to achieve common goals and objectives.

Promoting Accountability Among Entrepreneurs

Another important aspect of cultural reclamation is its ability to promote accountability among entrepreneurs. When cultural practices and traditions are re-established, it creates a shared sense of responsibility among community members. This can help to promote accountability among entrepreneurs, who are often seen as leaders within the community.

For example, re-establishing traditional protocols such as the Warrior Society, who protect and serve their community with respect for future generations, and the Clan Mother System, which promotes compassion and caring, can help to promote accountability among entrepreneurs. This, in turn, can lead to more responsible and sustainable business practices, which benefit both the community and the environment.

Cultural reclamation is a crucial aspect of community development, particularly in First Nations communities. It has the power to overcome cross-cultural barriers, improve social wellbeing and community spirit, and promote accountability among entrepreneurs. By re-establishing traditional practices and values, we can create a stronger, more vibrant, and more sustainable future for our communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cultural reclamation refers to the process of reclaiming cultural practices, traditions, and values that have been lost or suppressed over time.
First Nations communities have faced a long history of colonization and forced assimilation, which has often resulted in the suppression or loss of cultural practices and traditions. Cultural reclamation is therefore crucial for reconnecting with traditional practices and values and integrating them into modern-day life.
Cultural reclamation creates a sense of pride and belonging among community members, which can lead to improved mental health, increased social support, and greater overall wellbeing.
Cultural reclamation can promote accountability among entrepreneurs by re-establishing traditional protocols and values that promote responsibility and sustainability. This can lead to more responsible and sustainable business practices, which benefit both the community and the environment.
Examples of traditional protocols that can promote accountability include the warrior society, which protects and serves the community with respect for future generations, and the clan mother system, which promotes compassion and caring.
Cultural reclamation creates a shared sense of identity and purpose among community members, which can help to break down barriers between communities and municipalities and foster greater understanding and cooperation.
No, cultural reclamation is important for all communities, as it helps to promote a sense of identity, pride, and belonging among community members, and fosters greater understanding and cooperation between different cultures and communities.