Culture captivates tourists.

• Author: Mccauley, Jennifer
• Position: Aboriginal Business

From canoeing expeditions to learning how to erect a teepee, tourists are flocking to vacation experiences that are not only fun, but also incorporate teachings of Aboriginal culture and history. Northern Ontario's First Nations are meeting the tourism challenge head on with unique marketing ideas encompassing not only their history and culture, but the beauty of nature as well.

The Moose Cree First Nation is one of many capitalizing on its vast natural resources to create an Aboriginal tourism wilderness destination.

The Wa-sh-ow James Bay Wilderness Centre, which will celebrate its grand opening next summer, will provide year-round accommodations for guests to learn more about the Cree culture, says Darrell O'Connor, the First Nation's tourism officer.

"To really gain a sense of the Cree lifestyle, visitors need a hands-on experience and that is what we offer," O'Connor says. "Everything about the experience will be unique from the construction of the lodges to the activities we offer."

The centre, located in Hannah Bay, 60 kilometres southeast of Moose Factory, will be constructed using a traditional Cree vertical log building technique, he explains. The 4,200-square-foot main lodge is designed to depict a bird with outstretched wings. The wings of the bird comprise six guest rooms which can accommodate up to 22 guests. Although the building is unique, it is also practical, making use of renewable energy sources such as wood, solar and wind. An adjacent half-circular shaped west lodge will accommodate an additional 12 guests.

Aside from the lodges, three traditional villages will also be constructed. Each, site will be designed to teach guests about Cree life as practiced during pre-European contact, post-European contact and present times.

"Traditional activities will be offered to guests at each village location," O'Connor says; "The pre-European and post-European sites will be a trip back in time for our guests while the present day site will give them insight into how we live today."

Activities, regardless of the season, would include preparation of traditional foods, construction of traditional dwellings, as well as participation in all forms of day-to-day camp life.

The $2.2-million centre is being funded by FedNor and Aboriginal Business Canada, with the First Nation itself paying for roughly 25 to 30 per cent of the project. It is money well spent, however, O'Connor adds, because in the past 18 months inquiries for Aboriginal...