Since being accredited through The Original Original Accreditation Program, K’iyeli Dene Language, Culture Arts & Tourism Services (K’IYELI), owned and operated by Gilbert and Mary Jane Cazon in Fort Simpson, NWT, has experienced a boost in business and requests for their services.
“We are very grateful for our accreditation with ITAC and have been very busy since receiving accreditation. Businesses that have been operating for years in our area have now added our services to their seasonal bookings.”
– Gilbert and Mary Jane Cazon
In addition to local support, K’IYELI has also caught the attention of Black Feather, a wilderness adventure business that provides adventure travel holidays, and National Geographic to provide Dene Culture Awareness and Dene Culture water offering ceremonies for two well-known explorers.
K’IYELI is a well-established Indigenous-owned business located within the boreal forest approximately 500 kilometres west of Yellowknife, NWT. Moreover, the company is a family-run business offering a variety of cultural experiences. Gilbert and Mary Jane are proud Dene people who like to share and educate their guests on cultural practices that were passed on from generation to generation. From learning about the history of the area through local guided tours of the Mackenzie River (Canada’s longest river), beading moccasins or making a drum, to learning how to call moose, snare and skin a rabbit to cooking and eating them, guests are treated to an unforgettable adventure.
K’IYELI also provides Dene translation services and works with youth to teach them about traditional Dene values. Every year, the company delivers two cultural camps for elementary and high school students in Fort Simpson and provides day-long and overnight options for each grade and class. Looking forward, K’IYELI is currently developing other tourism opportunities focussed on land-based teachings and they are committed to growing the Indigenous tourism industry in NWT.
“We have been in business for years and being accredited has opened new doors for our business. Now we play a big part in the NWT tourism sector, thank you!”
– Gilbert and Mary Cazon
For more information about The Original Original Accreditation Program and how you can be accredited, visit here.