Across Canada, Indigenous communities are offering domestic and international visitors authentic and meaningful tourism experiences. These experiences also provide unique opportunities to learn about traditional Indigenous knowledge and the histories and cultural practices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Indigenous tourism not only deepens understanding and connection but also drives economic growth, supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and advancing economic reconciliation and self-determination.
Today, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), and Alana Hirtle, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester, alongside Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), highlighted the Budget 2025 investment of $6 million in additional funding for the Indigenous Tourism Fund's Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream (SITES). The Minister also announced the projects that will benefit from the investment. This announcement was made at the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre on the Millbrook First Nation, in Mi'kma'ki.
The Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream aims to support key experiences that anchor tourism destinations in Indigenous communities and help develop the infrastructure and services needed for tourism. Building on the success of the first round of funding, this additional $6 million in funding will support the scale-up of significant, export-ready, market-sustainable and community-supported Indigenous experiences and tourism destinations. Partnering to grow Indigenous tourism is essential to position Canada as a top global destination and enable Canada to realize the full potential of the visitor economy.
This new funding will support:
- The Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (Nova Scotia) is receiving federal funding to support the construction of the new Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre. It will enable the community to share Mi'kmaw history and culture with students of all ages and visitors from Nova Scotia, Canada and around the world.
- Restaurant Sagamité YQB S.E.N.C. (Quebec) is receiving federal funding to enable the "Restaurant La Sagamité" franchise to expand its authentic Indigenous cuisine offerings to the Québec City airport.
- The Six Nations of the Grand River (Ontario) is receiving federal funding to support the construction of a new welcome centre at Six Nations. The new centre will support Indigenous tourism experiences to enhance the visitor capacity and experience, promoting the community as well as its historic sites.
- Enoch Cree Nation (Alberta) is receiving federal funding to support the construction of a new River Cree Thermal Spa on Enoch Cree Nation lands, which will become a world-class wellness destination once completed in 2028.
- The Spo7ez Cultural Centre and Community Society (British Columbia) is receiving federal funding to support the expansion of its cultural centre, which will now house a commercial kitchen to operate a café and offer catering services, along with a larger gift shop.
- The Tla-o-qui-aht Development Corporation (British Columbia) is receiving federal funding to expand resort infrastructure, including the construction of a new spa space and 12 camping units.
The Budget 2025 investment highlighted today is in addition to the more than $50 million in Government of Canada programming supporting Indigenous tourism over the last three years, through initiatives such as the Indigenous Tourism Fund and the Tourism Growth Program. As outlined in Budget 2025, this additional investment highlights the federal government's commitment to building a strong Canadian economy in partnership with Indigenous Peoples.
