Okanagan Indigenous culture highlighted in tourism video

Okanagan aboriginal culture is the focus of a new Tourism Kelowna ad and the result is beautiful.

“We are beautiful. We are Okanagan. Because our land is beautiful,” said an elder in the video highlighted against the sweeping landscapes of the valley. 

He says his people are still here, their ceremonies are coming back, and so is the language. 

It's a recognition of the growing role indigenous tourism is playing in the valley.

Indigenous tourism generates $705 million a year for B.C.'s economy and to grow that number, the B.C. government and Indigenous Tourism BC have signed a deal to work more closely together.

The Indigenous Tourism Accord, signed at the International Indigenous Tourism Conference in Kelowna on Nov. 14, 2019, outlines a commitment to work together in areas such as:

• skills development;
• revitalization of Indigenous cultures, protocols and languages;
• better co-operation across provincial ministries; and
• more collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous tourism operators.

"Strategic and respectful Indigenous tourism development not only provides economic benefits through employment and entrepreneurship but also grants visitors unique opportunities to learn about local history and culture,"  Brenda Baptiste, chair, Indigenous Tourism BC said.

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