Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)

The Northern Tourism Recovery Incubator developed by ITAC was created to support SMEs in Northern communities to strengthen their business, rebuild Indigenous tourism operators and re-train staff members to support visitors and public health expectations as the tourism industry recovers.

The needs of these businesses were assessed through a national accreditation program (Project Rise) which provided individual business assessments and aggregated data for ongoing support. By working with the Indigenous provincial and territorial partners, ITAC supported the effective delivery of regionally specific support to revitalize operators ahead of the 2023 operating season. Regional needs were considered as businesses reported through the accreditation program, recognizing that the gaps in one part of the country may not be the same as another. This coordinated effort aimed to increase tourism revenues and jobs by increasing Indigenous tourism products to meet visitor demands.

Aerial view of the airport. Airplane taxiing to runway.

Featured Projects

Forklift operator moving a pallet of goods
Project

Material Handling 4.0

Material Handling 4.0 (MH4.0) is a sector-based skills training program designed to prepare unemployed and underemployed individuals for roles in Canada’s goods movement industry. 
Research

Green occupations pathways: from vulnerable jobs to rapid-growth careers

The nature of work in Canada is changing. So is our climate. Can we alleviate both needs? Designing and implementing viable responses to automation requires a thorough understanding of the opportunities available to HRLM workers. Helping to transition these workers into high growth sectors of the economy is ideal (e.g., technology, cannabis, services). But policy responses that integrate with other public priorities will be the most effective and efficient.
A large yellow mining haul truck travels a wide dirt road through boreal forest, dwarfing a pickup truck and small site building nearby.
Research

Competitiveness of Critical Mining in the North

This research project examined how Canada can advance critical mineral development while respecting Indigenous rights, values, and self-determination. Using expert interviews and a case study with the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee, the study identified key enablers and barriers to equitable participation for Indigenous nations.
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