JOB CREATION
REVITALIZING REMOTE COMMUNITIES THROUGH TOURISM
LAC LA MARTRE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, CANADA
Travel can be a powerful tool for Indigenous communities. Cultural exchanges spread understanding and respect. Local Indigenous tourism operators, like Lac La Martre Adventures in the Northwest Territories, bring tourism dollars into the community and bolster the area’s economy.
What's
changing
In many remote regions, Indigenous residents often face a lack of local economic opportunities and skill-building employment. This can lead to people moving away from their ancestral communities in search of financial security. To address this challenge, Indigenous tourism operators are providing valuable job opportunities and fostering economic growth in remote regions.
What's already
possible
In the Northwest Territories, Tłı̨chǫ Adventures Ltd., the tourism business arm of The Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation, is working to build a portfolio of tourism businesses to diversify their community’s economic health. These businesses prioritize providing Tłı̨chǫ citizens with better access to jobs in hospitality and connecting travelers with authentic cultural education. The Tłı̨chǫ own City Tours in Yellowknife, operate campgrounds under government contracts, and own and manage their flagship experience, Lac La Martre Adventures.
Seizing
the opportunity
Tłı̨chǫ Adventures fully acquired Lac La Martre Adventures in 2023 after 14 years as a minority stakeholder. The fly-in lodge is on the lake of the same name, which boasts 1,000 square miles of fishing for northern pike, trout and Arctic grayling. Specialized fishing operations like this are exclusive experiences that often have higher prices and provide additional revenue to be reinvested in local economies.
Standout
tactic
Though the area was already well known for fishing, the integration of Indigenous culture to a Lac La Martre fishing trip greatly enriches the guest experience. The Tłı̨chǫ have made subtle changes to art and signs throughout the property, which makes guests more comfortable asking and learning about the region, the people living there and their traditions. They also have options away from the lodge on other Tłı̨chǫ lands, including aurora borealis viewing and cultural experiences. The lodge plans to build a dedicated space for cultural storytelling and other immersive experiences.
How
it helps
Lac La Martre Adventures employs about 30 people in peak season, including part time and casual employees. About 60% of the staff is Northwest Territory residents, which is predicted to grow as the lodge trains new guides. Revenue from the fishing lodge is reinvested back into training programs, site upgrades and community connections. For example, the lodge was able to sponsor a fishing derby in nearby Whati (a Tłı̨chǫ Dene community of 500 people).
Diving
deeper
How can a remote destination that has significant control over access make cleaner forms of transportation a priority and potentially introduce employment opportunities to maintain it?
Increasing
impact
Indigenous tour operators can share knowledge and success by working together. Tłı̨chǫ Adventures is looking to find ways to collaborate with other Indigenous groups to share best practices, create joint tourism packages and promote cultural exchange.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
