In 2018, Joe Bailey was running a successful tourism business showing guests the colourful Aurora Borealis. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic locked down the Northwest Territories.
“We’re in rebuilding mode, with a very slow tour season,” said Bailey. “So we’re definitely nowhere near the numbers before COVID… but it really forced us to be much more savvy with our business decisions and our business practices.” Indigenous tourism had difficulties meeting the federal program’s financial requirements, and faced challenges with program applications and eligibility requirements that may disproportionately exclude Indigenous businesses, such as unincorporated, community-owned and non-taxable businesses, the internal documents show.For example, Indigenous businesses need more professional support getting into the industry, Bailey explained.
Darcie Guarderas, director and client strategist for Tansi Tourism Solutions, often works with Indigenous tour operators on a one-on-one basis. She had a call with another Indigenous business owner in the Northwest Territories whose operation didn’t survive the pandemic, even though it was at its peak.