Just over a year ago, Wasagaming resident Ashley Smith shared with her family her dream of creating a travel destination that would allow people to better experience the beauty of Riding Mountain National Park.
They founded Turtle Village as a family, offering “the ideal combination of adventure and comfort, an ice fishing village experience with fresh bannock grilled over an open fire, and comfortable off-grid glamping accommodation that runs on solar power to minimise environmental impact,” according to their business bio in this week’s Tribute Tourism Awards program.
Last Wednesday, the Smith family received the Indigenous Tourism Award through Tourism Westman at the annual awards ceremony.
The Indigenous Tourism Awards recognise excellence in the provision of a product or service that demonstrates cultural authenticity and sensitivity to the ecological, cultural and economic integrity of a community.
In just its first year of operation, Turtle Village and Clear Lake Ice Fishing Village became Riding Mountain National Park’s first Indigenous tourism destination, and all five members of the Smith family are involved in building and operating the business.
Ashley is a self-described “visionary and dreamer,” while her husband Jason wears several hats, including “project manager.” Their oldest daughter, Jaylee, is the social media manager. Their 17-year-old son, Keeshon, makes all of the turtle shells and ice fishing equipment. Their youngest daughter, Dawnjay, is an up-and-coming boss. And both of their daughters help their brother with construction.
When asked what inspired the family-run business, Ashley said that witnessing the housing crisis as a home manager for Gambler First Nation was what inspired her to think of and embrace the turtle shell concept.
“We’re a little ahead of our time,” she explains. “Our family of five has been living in a 400-square-foot turtle shell for the past three years – off-grid with all the amenities that Turtle Village has to offer. We wanted people to experience, on a really small scale, what it means to live off-grid in a sustainable mini-home. That’s how it started. It wasn’t planned, it was just… next step, next step… and here we are!”
Listen in as Ashley Smith talks about the founding of Turtle Village, her own history, and her personal connection to Riding Mountain National Park through her great-grandfather, John the Falcon.
Turtle Village features eight off-grid turtle shell cabins at Wasagaming Campground, and Ice Fishing Village is located right on Clear Lake and offers food, lodging and ice fishing on the ice during the winter months.
“It’s so beautiful! We want to tap into the winter market because a lot of people don’t realize how beautiful Riding Mountain is in the wintertime. It’s such an amazing place and we want to bring more people out and have something to do. The Ice Fishing Village was born out of a desire for family activities and getting the kids outside and having fun!”
Mr Smith said winning the Indigenous Tourism Award just 11 months after starting up his business was huge and he paid tribute to all the people, organisations and fellow businesses within Riding Mountain National Park who encouraged his family through the process of setting up the business and increasing tourism to the park.
“I was shocked! I couldn’t be happier! I’m still a newbie, but I’m so grateful to everyone who thought of me and recommended me. It’s an incredible amount of support, and it’s one of the things that motivates me to keep going!”
For more information, please visit our website.
Turtle Village, Wasagaming, Manitoba
(Photos by Turtle Village and Clear Lake Ice Fishing Village: Ashley Smith)
