Indigenous Tourism Training Back for Second Session

Posted on Friday, December 10th, 2021

Algonquin College and Ottawa Tourism will launch the second iteration of its Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneurship Training (ITET) in January to support Indigenous entrepreneurs in the creation and development of their own business and tourism ideas.

“When we created this training, we wanted it to be different,” said Andre O’Bonsawin, Algonquin College’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives. “We really wanted to develop an authentic, tourism- focused, entrepreneurial training that will support surrounding Indigenous communities, businesses and most importantly Indigenous peoples. We have also created an advisory board with Indigenous entrepreneurs, community members and subject matter experts to help ensure the content for the training is respectful and culturally safe.”

Mark Forgette, an Anishnaabe member of the Wahgoshig (Little Fox) band in Northern Ontario, enrolled in the 10-week ITET in the summer of 2020. “I figured I had nothing to lose and so much to gain,” said Forgette, owner and facilitator of Maketew Workshops.

“When I was accepted, I was so ecstatic and nervous all at the same time.  My business was relatively new and I knew I had so much to learn.  I met some incredible like-minded individuals who shared a passion for both their culture and for business.  Makatew Workshops benefited immensely and directly from ITET, with meeting key people in the tourism industry, and I saw a huge growth spurt in sales.”

Developed by Indigenous entrepreneurs and subject matter experts, ITET is designed specifically for Indigenous learners. Participants can learn business fundamentals while keeping within the context of Indigenous ways of knowing, including storytelling and interactions with tourism industry and guest speakers.

The ITET sessions include 10 modules that help guide prospective Indigenous business owners with the development of their tourism business ideas. The next sessions begin January 4, 2022 and will include two mentors who were participants in the initial training. Registration is complete and there is a waiting list.

More information on this training can be found here on the Ottawa Tourism website.


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