Dean’s Fort Simpson business is hoping to expand with funding from the federal Indigenous Tourism Fund.
K’iyeli Tourism Services is owned and operated by Mary Jane and Gilbert Kazon. We provide interpretation, cultural education, and tourism services.
Gilbert-Cazon said the services they provide are “what all visitors to our region need to understand Indigenous culture, ways of life and how to sustain the land and its wildlife.” ”.
“This is something that all communities can use to promote health and provide healthy activities.” [and to] Maintain our way of life,” he said.
In a news release Wednesday, North West MP Michael McLeod said the business had received $25,000 in funding from the Indigenous Tourism Fund’s micro and small business stream.
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“Indigenous tourism has the power to create opportunities, transform Canadian tourism, and advance reconciliation,” McLeod said in a statement.
“I look forward to seeing the difference this funding will bring to Fort Simpson.”
Kazon said the funding will help the company expand its programs and services.
This includes language programming, natural medicine health care, water and fire rituals, and interpretation and translation services, he said. He said K’iyeli Tourism Services provides immersive programs to local schools and also supports on-site programming.
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K’iyeli Tourism Services has been in operation since around 2010, but the Cazon family has a long history of sharing knowledge and culture. Mr Cazon said they were direct descendants of the Dean Guide who helped Alexander Mackenzie sail down the De Cho River in 1789.
“Our people have helped other countries and cultures come into our region who don’t know what helps them continue and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” he said. Ta.
The Indigenous Tourism Fund was announced in the 2022 federal budget with the aim of helping the Indigenous tourism industry recover from the pandemic and expand.
