Unceded Territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation (Nanaimo, BC) — The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada’s (ITAC) Business Support Coordinator, Michelle Brown, attended the 4VI Vancouver Island Stewardship Summit from October 2 to 3 in Nanaimo, BC. The summit brought together tourism professionals, Indigenous leaders, and conservation groups to advance conversations on responsible and regenerative tourism.
On Day 1
Darcie Guarderas from Tansi Tourism Solutions led a workshop on Indigenous Approaches to Tourism as Models of Best-Practice Stewardship. The session encouraged open and honest conversations about reciprocity, community benefits, and Indigenous leadership in tourism.
On Day 2
Michelle joined a panel discussion on Tourism-Led Stewardship in BC’s Marine and Wilderness Areas with representatives from the Wilderness Tourism Association of BC, BC Marine Trails, and the Ocean Legacy Foundation. The panel focused on the importance of working together, sharing knowledge, and taking responsibility to care for the land and waters that support tourism.
Throughout the summit, speakers and participants emphasized how education and conservation go hand in hand, how healthy ecosystems support a strong tourism economy, and the urgency of collective action to protect the natural and cultural environments that sustain the Indigenous tourism sector.
ITAC is proud to take part in events that promote responsible tourism, support Indigenous leadership, and honour the values of stewardship, reciprocity, and respect for the land.
Moreover, Michelle Brown’s participation in the 4VI Vancouver Island Stewardship Summit aligns with ITAC’s 2025-26 Operational Plan priorities to grow tourism experience development and enhancement and destination and tourism experience marketing for Indigenous tourism in Canada.