Creating space for indigenous knowledges: considerations for aboriginal cultural tourism education

In post-secondary environments within Canada and around the world, institutional shifts are changing the landscape to create space for indigenous knowledges. The changes are reflected not only in the physical environment, but are also seen in the intellectual landscape with the creation of new faculties, programs, and courses providing for indigenous research and discourse resulting in more comprehensive ways of knowing and understanding the world. This qualitative research study unfolds the story of the Aboriginal Youth Ambassador Cultural Interpreter training program in preparation for the opening of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, British Columbia. It focuses on instructional design and learning processes by weaving materials developed throughout the process with the perspectives of instructors, program managers, post-secondary administrators, and funders. Structured using the instructional systems design framework known best by the acronym ADDIE, each chapter contains a series of observations and recommendations designed to positively affect all aspects of indigenous cultural tourism education. The study suggests that increased indigenous control of training and education funding, a provincially mandated requirement that post-secondary institutions demonstrate organizational readiness to serve indigenous communities, articulation of indigenous tourism programs and courses, and clear evaluative reporting indicators, significant changes can be made. These changes have the potential to enhance individual experiences, support community-based development activities, improve institutional effectiveness and promote innovative industry practices. The study concludes that creating space for indigenous knowledges will result in stronger, healthier academic environments further empowering students, faculty, and administrators; positively contributing to academia, local communities and strengthening the fabric of Canadian society.