Treaty 6 and 8 Territories and Métis Region 4 (Jasper, AB)  – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) proudly participated in the 2025 GoMedia Canada Summit, from September 14–18, held in Jasper, Alberta—the country’s premier international media marketplace hosted by Destination Canada.

The summit opened with a powerful Indigenous welcome ceremony, coordinated by Indigenous Tourism Alberta and Destination Canada, and hosted by Aseniwuche Winewak Nation. Elders Joe Karakuntie and Hilda Hallock led the gathering with opening prayers, followed by drumming carried by Red Rose Thunder and The James Gang, with Robert Wanyandie as Emcee. The Grand Entry featured dancers, including Tiran Zorthian (Chicken Dance), Mackenzie McDonald (Women’s Traditional), Beau Hallock and Deanna Wanyandie (Jingle), and Grace Wanyandie, Rebecca Wanyandie, and Kiel Gill (Fancy Shawl). 

Representing ITAC were Tamara Littlelight, Director of Marketing, and Ryan Rogers, Communications Manager, joined by delegations from Provincial and Territorial Indigenous Tourism Associations (Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Quebec, and Yukon).

Together, they highlighted the power of Indigenous-led tourism to advance reconciliation and inspire global travellers. 

Over the course of the summit, Tamara and Ryan conducted 14 one-on-one meetings with international journalists, building new media relationships and generating worldwide exposure for authentic Indigenous tourism experiences.

ITAC also partnered with Travel Manitoba to deliver a compelling presentation on Reconciliation Through Tourism. The session featured Lorraine Daniels, Executive Director of the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada, who shared her personal story and illuminated the history of residential schools—underscoring the vital role of tourism in reconciliation and education. 

To honour speakers and support local art, ITAC collaborated with Carter-Ryan Gallery to present nine Jasper-themed art prints as gifts, with proceeds supporting the region’s 2024 fire recovery efforts.

Beyond the summit floor, ITAC played a key role in three GoMedia FAM tours designed to immerse international media in Indigenous culture and landscapes:

Ontario Pre-FAM (Destination Ontario & Wikwemikong Tourism): Discover Indigenous Ontario—Journey Through Unceded Lands

The journalists experienced a multi-day immersion in Indigenous culture on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. They stayed at the Manitoulin Island Hotel & Conference Centre, visiting key cultural and natural sites, including the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, the Mishibinijima Private Art Gallery, and Point Grondine Park. Activities featured the Dewegan Drum & Song and Unceded Journey Experience, a guided Indigenous culinary hike along the Bebamikawe “Making Foot Prints” Memorial Trail, medicinal plant teachings, and a Healing with Horses session at Osawamick G’Tigaaning Ranch. The itinerary also included a scenic boat tour through historic canoe passages and a dinner at Rainbow Ridge Golf Course. 

Alberta Pre-FAM (Indigenous Tourism Alberta & Travel Alberta): Discover Indigenous Alberta – GoMedia FAM

The itinerary offered a rich introduction to Indigenous culture and history in Alberta. The journalists began with Cultural Sensitivity Training led by Indigenous Tourism Alberta, followed by visits to Fort Edmonton Park’s Indigenous Peoples Experience and a dinner featuring Indigenous-inspired cuisine at Bernadette’s. At Métis Crossing, they explored Métis art, dance, storytelling, culinary and traditional practices, heard from CEO Juanita Marois, and joined experiences such as the Visions, Hopes and Dreams Wildlife Tour and a canoe trip called Paddle into the Past. Additional highlights included wilderness education and animal tracking at Painted Warriors, the Zuc’min-guided Athabasca Glacier experience, and a breathtaking Fallen Mountain Heli-Tour led by Rocky Mountain Cree guide Lauren Moberly.

Northwest Territories Post-FAM (Northwest Territories Tourism)

In Yellowknife the journalists enjoyed a range of Indigenous-led experiences and northern adventures. Highlights included an authentic Dene Aurora viewing with storytelling, drumming, and traditional foods from B. Dene Adventures, and multiple Northern Lights outings with North Star Adventures and North of 60 Aurora Adventures. The same group of journalists joined local guide Tracy Therrien of Bucketlist Tours for a city tour and private cabin Aurora viewing, explored Dene culture and legends on an Indigenous storytelling tour with Joe Bailey, and hiked the scenic Ingraham Trail to Cameron Falls with My Backyard Tours.

GoMedia remains a vital platform for ITAC to amplify Indigenous voices, strengthen partnerships, and share authentic Indigenous tourism experiences with the world—advancing reconciliation one story at a time.