tnq first nations tourism action plan

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Tourism Action plan launched

Tropical North Queensland’s First Nations Tourism Action Plan has officially launched in Cairns and outlines a range of measures designed to embrace the full potential of Indigenous tourism in the region.

The plan aims to double both the number of Indigenous experiences and the number of Indigenous people employed in the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry in the region by 2032, with all tourism entities formally acknowledging Country.

The number of visitors having an Indigenous experience is targeted to grow from 12 per cent to 30 per cent by 2032, with the number of visitors participating in regenerative tourism supporting Country and culture doubling.

Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group Chair Dale Mundraby co-chaired the plan’s steering committee alongside Juan Walker with 12 months of consultation undertaken throughout the region.

Mr Mundraby said the action plan was a roadmap that would make a significant impact on First Nations tourism by embracing its potential and connecting visitors in a respectful way to Country, culture and the people at the heart of it.

Co-chair Juan Walker said the fundamental principle that all tourism occurs on Country was at the heart of the plan.

“Our tourism sector must commit to assisting local communities to design and deliver appropriate tourism experiences that deliver sustainable benefits to our communities and ensure culture and Country for future generations,” he said.

“In return we will work with the sector to educate, collaborate and deliver awe-inspiring destination experiences that will position Tropical North Queensland as a global leader in tourism.

“I encourage our First Nations people to embrace the opportunities, take initiative and utilise the plan to achieve their goals.”

Tropical North Queensland is known for its diverse line up of holidaymaker attractions and visitors are increasingly seeking First Nations cultural experiences.

First Nations Tourism Action Plan aligns with the industry-led Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap which is all about harnessing Queensland’s iconic natural and cultural assets to transform Queensland’s visitor economy and grow good tourism jobs.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the growing interest in authentic cultural experiences across the world was demonstrated at the Australian Tourism Exchange last week where the international travel trade were eager to learn about new Indigenous product.

“The Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan is the voice of our region’s First Nations people to ensure that First Nations tourism grows in a respectful way,” he said.

The TNQ First Nations Tourism Plan is funded by the Queensland Government through the Year of Indigenous Tourism program, with support from Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

Read the Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan 2023-2025 .

FNQ First Nations Tourism Action Plan aims to double Indigenous experiences, create jobs

Young people will be "so busy" that there'll be no time for crime, according to an Indigenous leader on the launch of a new tourism plan.

Key points:

• A Far North Queensland tourism action plan aims to connect visitors with Indigenous attractions
• It aims to double Indigenous experiences with tourists and increase employment opportunities with hopes it will "reduce the crime rate"
• Operators hope the plan will increase reconciliation efforts

The Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan aims to increase the amount of Indigenous experiences available to visitors.

It sets the premise that all tourism is on country and has a target of doubling Indigenous attractions in the next 10 years.

Cairns tourism operator Dale Mundraby said doubling Indigenous tourism experiences would have a positive social impact.

"[Having] respect for ourselves, country, culture, and the environment will help to reduce the crime rate ," he said.

"Our youth will be so busy getting up getting ready for work, and going to bed early that there's nothing else for them to do."

Indigenous tours already on offer in the region include art, eco-accommodation, fishing and guided tours.

Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews said his community, only 10 kilometres east of Cairns, had plenty to offer.

"I think we underestimate the education and ancient knowledge that our visitors will take away from the experience," he said.

"We probably have the best art centre in the country, and we would love to promote that a bit more and give it a bit more exposure."

'The industry for me'

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said there were 37 Indigenous tours on offer, and a further 100 products were in the pipeline.

But he says there is a gap between the tourists who seek Indigenous experiences.

Mr Olsen says 37 per cent of international visitors participate in Indigenous attractions compared to just 3 per cent of domestic tourists.

"The breadth and depth of experiences being offered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this region is almost uncapped," he said.

"The leadership that's being shown by communities, by ranger groups, by councils and by the industry is going to create a pathway for employment.

"[It will allow] young people to say: 'Tourism is the industry for me. It'll keep me close to home close to country. It'll help me build culture.'"

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FNQ First Nations Tourism Action Plan aims to double Indigenous experiences, create jobs: ABC

ABC Far North  / By  Conor Byrne

Posted Fri 12 May Original Story here

The Mossman Gorge Centre in Far North Queensland is an Indigenous ecotourism development.(Supplied: Indigenous Land Corporation)

Key points:

• A Far North Queensland tourism action plan aims to connect visitors with Indigenous attractions
• It aims to double Indigenous experiences with tourists and increase employment opportunities with hopes it will “reduce the crime rate”
• Operators hope the plan will increase reconciliation efforts

Young people will be “so busy” that there’ll be no time for crime, according to an Indigenous leader on the launch of a new tourism plan.

The Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan aims to increase the amount of Indigenous experiences available to visitors.

It sets the premise that all tourism is on country and has a target of doubling Indigenous attractions in the next 10 years.

Cairns tourism operator Dale Mundraby said doubling Indigenous tourism experiences would have a positive social impact.

“[Having] respect for ourselves, country, culture, and the environment will help to reduce the  crime rate ,” he said.

Dale Mundraby is excited about the potential benefits of the initiative.

“Our youth will be so busy getting up getting ready for work, and going to bed early that there’s nothing else for them to do.”

Indigenous tours already on offer in the region include art, eco-accommodation, fishing and guided tours.

Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews said his community, only 10 kilometres east of Cairns, had plenty to offer.

“I think we underestimate the education and ancient knowledge that our visitors will take away from the experience,” he said.

“We probably have the best art centre in the country, and we would love to promote that a bit more and give it a bit more exposure.”

‘The industry for me’

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said there were 37 Indigenous tours on offer, and a further 100 products were in the pipeline.

Operators are promoting cultural tours in Tropical Far North Queensland.

But he says there is a gap between the tourists who seek Indigenous experiences.

Mr Olsen says 37 per cent of international visitors participate in Indigenous attractions compared to just 3 per cent of domestic tourists.

“The breadth and depth of experiences being offered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this region is almost uncapped,” he said.

“The leadership that’s being shown by communities, by ranger groups, by councils and by the industry is going to create a pathway for employment.

“[It will allow] young people to say: ‘Tourism is the industry for me. It’ll keep me close to home close to country. It’ll help me build culture.’”

• Accommodation

TNQ First Nations tourism plan to double number of Indigenous experiences by 2032

A newly launched Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan aims to double both the number of Indigenous experiences and the number of Indigenous people employed in the region’s tourism industry by 2032.

Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group Chair Dale Mundraby co-chaired the plan’s steering committee alongside Juan Walker with 12 months of consultation undertaken throughout the region.

“The number of visitors having an Indigenous experience is targeted to grow from 12 per cent to 30 per cent by 2032 with the number of visitors participating in regenerative tourism supporting Country and culture doubling,” said Mundraby.

Walker said the fundamental principal that all tourism occurs on Country was at the heart of the plan.

“Our tourism sector must commit to assisting local communities to design and deliver appropriate tourism experiences that deliver sustainable benefits to our communities and ensure culture and Country for future generations,” he said.

“In return we will work with the sector to educate, collaborate and deliver awe-inspiring destination experiences that will position Tropical North Queensland as a global leader in tourism.”

Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Tropical North Queensland had enormous potential to grow cultural tourism experiences.

“Tropical North Queensland is known for its diverse line up of holidaymaker attractions, but we know First Nations cultural experiences are increasingly sought after by visitors to this region,” Healy said.

”I want to thank Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the steering committee for their initiative and expertise in developing an Action Plan for local First Nations jobs and international visitor recovery.”

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Queensland is uniquely placed to become an international leader in genuine First Nations visitor experiences.

“We’re home to world’s oldest living Indigenous cultures, which we have a wonderful opportunity to share globally ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond,” he said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the growing interest in authentic cultural experiences across the world was demonstrated at the Australian Tourism Exchange last week where the international travel trade were eager to learn about new Indigenous product.

“The Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan is the voice of our region’s First Nations people to ensure that First Nations tourism grows in a respectful way,” he said.

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18 April, 2022

Plan For First Nations Tourism Underway In Tnq

Consultation is about to start on the tropical north queensland first nations tourism action plan, with workshops to be held across the region to support the development of indigenous tourism..

The workshops will be held at 13 locations from Innisfail north to Thursday Island and west to Normanton from April 18 to June 14.

Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group Chair Dale Mundraby said the industry group had identified the need for a local, clearly articulated plan for First Nations Tourism to build on the success of the Queensland plan developed by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. 

“First Nations-led tourism experiences are increasingly in demand across the world,” Mr Mundraby said. 

“And Tropical North Queensland is ideally placed as the only destination with two World Heritage areas and two national cultures – the Torres Strait Islander people and the Aboriginal people. 

“There is a strong vision for the development of Tropical North Queensland Indigenous tourism products and experiences, but a plan is necessary to guide that vision. 

“We need the people with the connection to the environment to showcase our Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest World Heritage areas and create an economy through Indigenous tourism,” he said. 

A Steering Committee has been formed to lead the development of the Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan with Co-Chairs Dale Mundraby, Juan Walker and Willie Enoch-Tranby. 

The Committee includes Alicia Haines representing the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) Indigenous Advisory Project Plan Group; Gavin Singleton representing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Indigenous Advisory Group; Mayor Ross Andrews representing the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC); Joann Schmider representing the Indigenous academic community and the Rainforest Aboriginal People; and Fraser Nai representing the emerging Torres Strait tourism industry. 

Mr Enoch-Tranby said the Committee would spend the next three months consulting Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders on the framework for the plan. 

“There are Indigenous people with great ideas for a tourism business, but they are not sure how to go about it, and this plan will give them that direction,” he said. 

“The biggest outcomes will be job creation, looking after country, being able to present country, and enabling non-Indigenous people to experience what that connection to country is.”

Workshop dates can be found at:   https://bit.ly/375SXCH

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NQ First Nations Tourism Plan to Grow Capacity

Work is underway to implement the newly launched  Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan  and embrace the full potential of Indigenous tourism in the region.

Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group Chair Dale Mundraby co-chaired the plan’s steering committee alongside Juan Walker with 12 months of consultation undertaken throughout the region.

Mr Mundraby said the action plan was a roadmap that would make a significant impact on First Nations tourism by embracing its potential and connecting visitors in a respectful way to Country, culture and the people at the heart of it.

“The plan aims to double both the number of Indigenous experiences and the number of Indigenous people employed in the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry in the region by 2032 with all tourism entities formally acknowledging Country.

“The number of visitors having an Indigenous experience is targeted to grow from 12 per cent to 30 per cent by 2032 with the number of visitors participating in regenerative tourism supporting Country and culture doubling.

Co-chair Juan Walker said the fundamental principal that all tourism occurs on Country was at the heart of the plan.

Our tourism sector must commit to assisting local communities to design and deliver appropriate tourism experiences that deliver sustainable benefits to our communities and ensure culture and Country for future generations

“In return we will work with the sector to educate, collaborate and deliver awe-inspiring destination experiences that will position Tropical North Queensland as a global leader in tourism.

“I encourage our First Nations people to embrace the opportunities, take initiative and utilise the plan to achieve their goals.”

Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Tropical North Queensland had enormous potential to grow cultural tourism experiences. 

“Tropical North Queensland is known for its diverse line up of holidaymaker attractions, but we know First Nations cultural experiences are increasingly sought after by visitors to this region,” Mr Healy said.

‘‘I want to thank Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the steering committee for their initiative and expertise in developing an Action Plan for local First Nations jobs and international visitor recovery.”

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe welcomed the First Nations Tourism Action Plan.

“The industry led Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap is about harnessing Queensland’s iconic natural and cultural assets to transform Queensland’s visitor economy and grow good tourism jobs,” Mr Hinchliffe said.   

Queensland is uniquely placed to become an international leader in genuine First Nations visitor experiences and that’s exactly what this Action Plan by TTNQ is designed to achieve

“We’re home to world’s oldest living Indigenous cultures, which we have a wonderful opportunity to share globally ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the growing interest in authentic cultural experiences across the world was demonstrated at the Australian Tourism Exchange last week where the international travel trade were eager to learn about new Indigenous product.

“The Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan is the voice of our region’s First Nations people to ensure that First Nations tourism grows in a respectful way,” he said.

The TNQ First Nations Tourism Plan is funded by the Queensland Government through the Year of Indigenous Tourism program, with support from Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

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20 October, 2023

First Nations tourism flourishing in TNQ

Australian holiday travellers experiencing indigenous tourism in tropical north queensland are spending almost three times more than they did before the pandemic and staying longer in the destination..

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said a deep dive into the National Visitor Survey for 2022-23 showed $315 million was spent by holidaying Australians who participated in an Indigenous experience, accounting for 12.5 per cent of the region’s $2.5 billion domestic holiday expenditure.

 “While just 4.5 per cent of holiday makers participated in an Indigenous experience, this figure increases to 6.3 per cent of holiday nights suggesting that the people enjoying Indigenous experiences are staying longer and spending more in the region,” he said.

“Tropical North Queensland has become the number one regional area for participation in Indigenous experiences by Australian travellers, with only the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth where visitor numbers are greater outstripping our destination’s participation rate.”

Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group Chair Dale Mundraby said there had been solid progress in elevating the profile and quantity of First Nations product for visitors since the Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Plan was launched in May by Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.

The Minister was attending the TNQ Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group meeting recently to hear about the progress of the action plan.

Mr Mundraby said nine of the 2032 targets had progressed with a record number of 38 operators participating in the region’s Deeper into Dreaming brochure promoting First Nations cultural experiences.

“There are 32 Tropical North Queensland products in the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse which feeds their information through to key websites including Tourism Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland’s destination websites,” he said.

“This exceeds the target of 30 set for 2032 and the fact that 12 were added over the past year speaks volumes of the work by the region’s Indigenous tourism operators to connect visitors to the country and culture of First Nations people.

“There are now nine operators working with inbound wholesalers to market and sell their product and 12 experiences that can be booked online which will help grow the number of international visitors participating as they return to our region.”

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Work is underway to implement the newly launched Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan and embrace the full potential of Indigenous tourism in the region.

Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group Chair Dale Mundraby co-chaired the plan's steering committee alongside Juan Walker with 12 months of consultation undertaken throughout the region.

Mr Mundraby said the action plan was a roadmap that would make a significant impact on First Nations tourism by embracing its potential and connecting visitors in a respectful way to Country, culture and the people at the heart of it.

“The plan aims to double both the number of Indigenous experiences and the number of Indigenous people employed in the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry in the region by 2032 with all tourism entities formally acknowledging Country.

“The number of visitors having an Indigenous experience is targeted to grow from 12 per cent to 30 per cent by 2032 with the number of visitors participating in regenerative tourism supporting Country and culture doubling.

Co-chair Juan Walker said the fundamental principal that all tourism occurs on Country was at the heart of the plan.

“Our tourism sector must commit to assisting local communities to design and deliver appropriate tourism experiences that deliver sustainable benefits to our communities and ensure culture and Country for future generations,” he said.

“In return we will work with the sector to educate, collaborate and deliver awe-inspiring destination experiences that will position Tropical North Queensland as a global leader in tourism.

“I encourage our First Nations people to embrace the opportunities, take initiative and utilise the plan to achieve their goals.”

Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Tropical North Queensland had enormous potential to grow cultural tourism experiences. 

“Tropical North Queensland is known for its diverse line up of holidaymaker attractions, but we know First Nations cultural experiences are increasingly sought after by visitors to this region,” Mr Healy said.

''I want to thank Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the steering committee for their initiative and expertise in developing an Action Plan for local First Nations jobs and international visitor recovery.”

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe welcomed the First Nations Tourism Action Plan.

“The industry led Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap is about harnessing Queensland's iconic natural and cultural assets to transform Queensland's visitor economy and grow good tourism jobs,” Mr Hinchliffe said.   

“Queensland is uniquely placed to become an international leader in genuine First Nations visitor experiences and that's exactly what this Action Plan by TTNQ is designed to achieve.

“We're home to world's oldest living Indigenous cultures, which we have a wonderful opportunity to share globally ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the growing interest in authentic cultural experiences across the world was demonstrated at the Australian Tourism Exchange last week where the international travel trade were eager to learn about new Indigenous product.

“The Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan is the voice of our region's First Nations people to ensure that First Nations tourism grows in a respectful way,” he said.

The TNQ First Nations Tourism Plan is funded by the Queensland Government through the Year of Indigenous Tourism program, with support from Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

Download the Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan:

https://tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FNTAP-spreads.pdf

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Key Organisations in Queensland

Queensland has the second largest indigenous population in australia, after new south wales..

Queensland is home to more than 273,000 First Nations people as of 2021, making up 5.2% of the state’s population.

472,000 visitors engaged in Indigenous tourism experiences in Queensland in 2019.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Queensland First Nations Tourism Council

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) is a private sector, member-based organisation for tourism and hospitality businesses in Queensland, with a long and active history in supporting Indigenous tourism.

Their pivotal work has included the production of a Best Practice Guide , the formation of an Indigenous Champions Network, the development of a First Nations Tourism Plan , and subsequently, the establishment of the Queensland First Nations Tourism Council (QFNTC).

The First Nations Tourism Plan, released in 2019, recommended a peak body be established to amplify the voice of the First Nations tourism sector, in line with international best practice. The resulting QFNTC will work hand in hand with industry, government and QTIC to implement the tourism plan through until 2025.

In partnership with the State Government, QTIC has developed a range of funded initiatives and continues to advance new opportunities, with a clear focus on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. The Growing Indigenous Tourism in Queensland Fund, delivered as part of the 2020 Year of Indigenous Tourism in Queensland, experienced high demand. This demonstrates the opportunity for further progress to be made with more funding, especially if aligned with a clear strategy and measurement framework, which QTIC is working towards.

QTIC’s Best Practice Guide for Working with First Nations Tourism

This guide aligns the aspirations of the First Nations tourism sector with the needs of the broader tourism industry in Queensland, which has asked for the knowledge and tools to better understand respectful engagement with First Nations businesses and communities in the tourism sector.

In the guide, you will find:

• Introduction and identifying Traditional Owners – Foundational understanding of the landscape
• Cultural Protocols – Detailed exploration including recognising people and place, respecting Culture and heritage, and empowering business and communities
• Procurement support – Discussion of best practice and issues in Indigenous procurement
• Accreditation – Introduction to what is currently being developed in this space

Other Organisations in Queensland

Organisation.

Department of Tourism, Innovation & Sport

Government Department

Strategies and Indigenous Tourism projects

• Our Country Advisory Service provides targeted support for Indigenous operators to help establish and grow their tourism offerings.
• Growing Indigenous Tourism in Queensland Fund includes a $7 million investment to develop new and sustainable Indigenous tourism offerings.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland

• Facilitates the TNQ Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group, which created a mentoring program for Indigenous tourism operators during Queensland’s Year of Indigenous Tourism.
• TNQ Indigenous Experiences Cluster group developed a region-specific First Nations Tourism Action Plan for Tropical North Queensland in 2023.

Independent Indigenous Tourism Operators of Queensland

• Established as a network of Indigenous tourism operators in Queensland, founded on the principle of self-determination and empowerment of Indigenous voices in the tourism industry.

Land Councils

Representative Body

• Land councils in Queensland operate as Native Title Representative Bodies, playing a critical role in the management and use of lands for tourism.

Acknowledgement of Country In the spirit of reconciliation, the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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The QFNTP is accompanied by an action plan outlining way in which we can implement the Plan.  To access the Action Plan click here . 

First Nations Tourism Working Group

To guide the implementation of the QFNTP and action plan a working group was been established. The Working Group examines the development and implementation of actions under the six pillars in the QFNTP. The makeup of the group is varied and takes factors such as location, gender, experience and business acumen into consideration. In addition to those criteria, members were chosen based on their ability to address certain aspects of the plan and their dedication to supporting and developing First Nations tourism. See our dedicated working group members,  here . The First Nations Tourism Working Group was also supported by a group of industry experts. Expert Advisors had experience in various industries and provided valuable insights and advice on a needs basis. View our Expert Advisors,  here .

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Government of Canada and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation sign Memorandum of Understanding to address community priorities and advance reconciliation

From: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

News release

Today, Chief Councillor Elmer Frank of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation; the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; and representatives from Parks Canada on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced the signing of the Hisiikcumyin Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines collaborative efforts and a path forward between the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and the Government of Canada to address community priorities and advance reconciliation.

June 27, 2024 — Tla-o-qui-aht Ha-Houlthee/Tofino, British Columbia

The MOU aims to:

• build trust between the Parties
• set a path forward for ongoing discussions and negotiations
• identify key priorities for negotiation
• establish a clear process for co-developing binding agreements

Our path to reaching this agreement dates back more than 20 years to 2003 and the initial signing of an agreement between the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and the Government of Canada. In that agreement, Canada agreed to transfer two parcels of land. Subsequently, 86 hectares of land from Pacific Rim National Park Reserve were transferred, and the community of Ty-Histanis [ta-yus-taa-nis] was created. But many years later, the transfer of a second parcel of land remained unfulfilled, and the signing of today’s MOU charts a way forward to honouring our commitment.

The MOU will enable collaboration between Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and the Government of Canada on key priorities, including economic development opportunities, language preservation and revitalization, addressing housing and infrastructure needs, self-governance, the recognition and implementation of Tla-o-qui-aht’s title and rights, as well as greater opportunities for shared benefit, management and stewardship of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation envisions a community where respect, collaboration and celebration are integral to daily life. Rooted in the belief that “we are all one” (His-shuk-nish-tsa-waak), Tla-o-qui-aht’s mission focuses on restoring and promoting traditional values while enhancing services for all members. Guided by strong administration and governance that honours their Ha’wiih (Hereditary Chiefs) and natural laws, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation aims for a harmonious and prosperous future.

The co-developed MOU will guide rights-based discussions, help renew the Nation-to-Nation relationship and advance the First Nation’s vision for self-determination. This agreement exemplifies Canada’s ongoing work to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan .

“Today’s Memorandum of Understanding looks to address past wrongs and the unfilled commitment of the federal government. This agreement marks a significant step forward in our path towards reconciliation and partnership with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. By actively supporting their priorities and aspirations, we acknowledge our shortcomings and are reaffirming our commitment to upholding our responsibilities. Together, we are working to build a better future.” The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

“Today’s signing event is a step in our journey to building true Nation-to-Nation relationships. The agreement will lead to greater economic opportunities and shared management and stewardship of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. We are hopeful this moves the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation's people closer to healing from the harm caused by policies that separated people from ancestral lands, culture and identity.”   The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

“We are pleased to be signing the Hisiiscumyin Memorandum of Understanding with Canada and thank Minister Anandasangaree for travelling to the Tla-o-qui-aht Ha-Houlthee to mark this event. This is an important milestone on our road to reconciliation. Tla-o-qui-aht looks forward to the work ahead and calls on Canada to work with us to fulfill longstanding commitments. While there will be headwinds as we improve our relationship with Canada, we accept these challenges and know that challenges remind us to bear down and work hard to continue to find solutions that improve the lives of our children and the lives of the many Tla-o-qui-aht generations to come.” Chief Councillor Elmer Frank Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation

Quick facts

The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation resides on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, including Tofino, British Columbia, and the surrounding area.

There are 12 Indian reserves (IR), with two residential IRs and three IRs located within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The Tla-o-qui-aht Nation has over 1200 members.

The Nation speaks a dialect of Nuu-chah-nulth known as Central Nuu-chah-nulth ( Nuučaan̓uɫ ).

The Administration comprises about 50 employees, with ongoing growth as the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation’s lands, economic and local development expand.

As a Nation with strong traditions, Tla-o-qui-aht's governance honours their traditional Ha’wiih (Hereditary Chiefs), providing services that promote and uphold traditional values for their members.

Associated links

• Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation

For more information, media may contact:

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Saya Masso, Negotiator, Lands Manager [email protected]

Matthieu Perrotin Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations [email protected]

CIRNAC Media Relations: [email protected] 819-934-2302

Kaitlin Power Senior Press Secretary and Communications Advisor Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change 819-230-1557 [email protected]

Media Relations Environment and Climate Change Canada 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free) [email protected]

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