Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is humbled to support the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) with their upcoming visit with Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church on March 31, 2022.

The AFN is calling on Pope Francis to issue an acknowledgement by the Roman Catholic Church for its role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual violence of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children in Catholic-run residential schools in Canada.

“The hard and painful work AFN is doing in regards to this visit is very important and ITAC is going to do everything we can to support them and increase public awareness and support in reconciliation as a result of ongoing historical wrongs,” said Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC.

To support AFN’s efforts, ITAC is providing strategic communications and financial support, as well as sponsoring Indigenous dancers to attend the Rome delegation to showcase and bring to life the rich culture and pride of Indigenous Peoples.

ITAC is a recognized leader for Indigenous cultural media and stories and closely works with a number of Indigenous tourism businesses throughout Canada who share education and information about the impact of residential schools on their communities and territories.

“Our delegation of dancers will provide a glimpse into the culture and tourism experiences that Canadian and international travellers can experience and learn about the impact of residential schools and Indigenous communities while supporting Indigenous businesses,” shares Henry.

ITAC has prepared a program grounded by the vision of Dene National Chief Gerald Antoine, AFN portfolio holder for this mission. The program, guided by Antoine’s concept of family, connection, resistance, strength, survival and celebration, will demonstrate the resiliency and vibrancy of the thriving Indigenous cultures from coast to coast to coast. The dancers will support the delegation by providing the power and beauty of songs, music, drumming, dances and storytelling.

Some Indigenous tourism businesses have embedded stories of residential schools that teach visitors about the history, culture and resiliency of Indigenous Peoples. One example includes St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino which has transformed a former residential school site into a cultural program. Today, St. Eugene Resort employs approximately 250 people and has become an international cultural destination.

Through cultural revitalization, ITAC continues to support and market a number of Indigenous tourism businesses built on the sites of former residential schools in Canada. For more information on the upcoming meeting with Pope Francis or to learn more about Indigenous experiences in Canada supporting reconciliation efforts, please visit DestinationIndigenous.ca/Reconciliation or www.afn.ca/vatican.

The ITAC delegation includes:

  • ITAC Vice-Chair Marilyn Yadultin Jensen;
  • ITAC’s President and CEO, Keith Henry;
  • ITAC’s Director of Finance, Cecilia Point;
  • ITAC’s Digital Marketing Manager and event photographer, Zane Buchanan;
  • and a group of dancers representing regions from across Canada.