K’ıyelı Tourism Services in Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation (Fort Simpson) has received $25,000 from the federal government to support Indigenous tourism.
Mary Jane and Gilbert Cazon are the owners of K’ıyelı Services.
The Cazons began their business in 2010, initially offering interpretation and language services. As part of their commitment to promoting culture and preserving Dene Zhatie, they expanded into tourism, providing unique opportunities for experiencing the North.
Tourists may join an immersion camp to learn Dene Zhatie through a series of activities, participate in a fire ceremony, or enjoy some traditional food that nourishes your body.
“I’m very thankful for our ancestors who have taught us our language and our culture ever since we were born,” says Mary Jane. “They really made sure that I’ll be able to contain my language and my culture, to share with our people and our grandchildren so they can continue living this way of life.”
Participants from the Northern Youth Leadership and Drum Camp in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Gilbert Cazon)
The business is crucial for the Cazons to maintain their traditional way of life as the cost of living has gone up over the years.
“Because the cost of equipment, supplies, food and fuel is very pricey nowadays,” says Gilbert, “we developed this business to create prosperity and sustain our traditional way of living.”
Gilbert says the money will go towards updating their website and digital marketing. They also plan to purchase a boat for river tours, taking their guests to harvest traditional medicine and visit historical sites along the river.
Gilbert Cazon (in blue) is teaching youth how to use a net to catch fish on a boat during a School Culture Camp in 2018. (Photo courtesy of Gilbert Cazon)
“The fund is important because it recognizes our business and that Indigenous knowledge can be shared with other cultural groups that come into our area that have no familiarity with our region or traditional way of life,” says Gilbert.
“We hope to be known and become the go-to business for Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous ceremony. To help overcome language barriers that present departments are experiencing. And to create economic opportunities and have more employees,” says Gilbert.
The Indigenous Tourism Fund’s Micro and Small Business Stream is administered by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada in collaboration with provincial and territorial tourism organizations.
“Through this Indigenous-led process, we are supporting communities in making their own decisions and developing tourism at their own pace. I look forward to seeing the difference that this funding makes in Fort Simpson,” says Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament of the Northwest Territories.
