According to the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), at least 1,699 Indigenous businesses participate in Canada’s Indigenous tourism sector. In 2019, over 36,000 people worked in the sector’s associated industries. Their combined direct economic footprint in 2019 was estimated to exceed $1.6 billion in GDP. New 2020 estimates point to drastic losses in direct employment and GDP have resulted from COVID-19’s impact on the Indigenous tourism sector. The assessment projects a 65.9% decline in direct GDP, down to $555 million.
The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival has always been a mainstay for Indigenous artisans in Ontario, offering them the opportunity to sell their work at the Festival during its typical 4-day June run in Ottawa. With the pandemic, the Festival, like others, moved its programming online over a 21-day period. The annual
likewise transformed to an online store that showcased indigenous artisans from the province to an even wider audience through the end of July. The collaboration has been a huge success, providing the sole pandemic income for some artisans. Festival Executive Director, Trina Mather-Simard is thrilled and determined more than ever to help the Indigenous community as much as possible.
says Mather-Simard. Over 30 indigenous vendors are now registered on the Marketplace – all returning artisans who participated in the Festival this past June with more from across Ontario being added. Selection is diverse with
as well as returning artists from Kanata, Smith Falls, and Greely; into Quebec from Akwesasne and Vaudreuil; to Southern Ontario from Deseronto, Minden, Richmond Hill and Toronto; to Kamloops, British Columbia. Beadwork, jewellery, woodwork, paintings, herbs, copper crafts comprise some of the artisans’ offerings – each unique and blending ancestral stories with individual talents. Returning as well is Indigenous-owned Gopher It Deliveries for fulfillment: offering next day local delivery and cross Canada shipping.
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