The Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network (NSITEN) recently held their annual conference where they recognized excellence in Mi'kmaw tourism. Among the honourees were the Kinu Tourism Project team at MSVU who received the Tourism Champion of the Year Award and MSVU student Gabriel Robitaille who was named Youth of the Year.
The Kinu Tourism Project was developed by Indigenous community leaders and representatives from MSVU's Tourism and Hospitality Management Program to increase Indigenous access to post-secondary tourism education via an Indigenous student cohort (believed to be the first of its kind in the country) and support the growth of the Indigenous tourism sector in Mi'kma'ki. The project also aims to preserve Mi'kmaw culture, history, and traditions, as well as integrate Indigenous knowledge into MSVU's Tourism and Hospitality Management curriculum for all students. The project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Initiatives Program.
The Kinu Tourism Project team shared this reflection on their award news: "This recognition is a powerful testament to the strength of Indigenous knowledge, community leadership, and our shared vision for a future where tourism uplifts, empowers, and reconnects. We're incredibly grateful to NSITEN, our partners, and most importantly, the communities who continue to guide and inspire this journey. This win is for all of us the storytellers, land protectors, cultural carriers, and visionaries."
MSVU student Gabriel Robitaille received the Youth of the Year Award from NSITEN. Noted the Kinu Tourism Project team, "Gabriel's outstanding leadership, enthusiasm, and dedication to Indigenous tourism and community growth are truly admirable. His commitment showcases the resilience and bright future of Mi'kmaw tourism across the Nation."
The Kinu Tourism Project is based in the unceded, ancestral territory of Mi'kma'ki.
About NSITEN
The Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network (NSITEN) is a volunteer, non-profit cultural tourism organization located in the ancestral territory of the L'Nu (Mi'kmaw) people of Mi'kma'ki, present-day Atlantic Canada. As a mandated Indigenous Tourism Association under the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, NSITEN provides business development, training, and capacity building for L'Nu/Mi'kmaw and Indigenous-owned businesses. The organization also collaborates with regional, provincial, national, and international entities to share knowledge and key opportunities for tourism development, aiming to enhance members' market readiness capacity.
