Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased to welcome Samantha Rullin as the new Provincial and Territorial Engagement Manager, effective January 23, 2023.
Rullin is a member of the Haida Nation and belongs to the Yahgujaanas Xaadee from the village of Dadens. Rullin will add exceptional expertise to ITAC’s growing Development team. With over eight years in the Indigenous tourism industry, Rullin has built relationships across the country in global travel media, travel trade, provincial Indigenous tourism organizations as well as federal and provincial government partners through her work as the Stakeholder and Marketing Manager with Indigenous Tourism BC.
It was Haida Gwaii where Rullin’s journey in tourism first began, working for her Nation, first for Westcoast Resorts, and later for the Haida Corporation’s Haida Tourism company as a Marketing Coordinator. Now based in Vancouver, Rullin is honoured to live on the lands and waters of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam peoples, where she completed her post-secondary studies at Capilano University in Arts and Entertainment Management.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Samantha to the ITAC team,” said ITAC Director of Development, Tara Saunders. “The vibrant assembly of Indigenous peoples and their territories are what make Canada unique and Samantha’s work is to strengthen the relationships that exist between the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and all the organizations from coast-to-coast-to-coast that are working to share that message with the world.”
Rullin will be responsible for engaging with Provincial/Territorial partners to create positive industry awareness, advocacy, and accountability to gain market respect, establish funder confidence, and build member support – continuing to garner national alignment for Indigenous tourism growth.