Indigenous Tourism Ontario

Indigenous Tourism Ontario
Type	Organization

Indigenous Tourism Ontario is a provincial organization focused on Indigenous tourism.

In Anishinabek News

• November 2019: The organization's CEO, Kevin Eshkawkogan, presented information on how communities can develop tourism ventures on their lands.
• July 2020: Indigenous Tourism Ontario helped present the virtual edition of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival in 2020.
• September 2020: The organization partnered with ORIGIN in September 2020 to develop virtual reality experiences for tourism businesses. The partnership is part of a larger Strategic and COVID-19 Recovery Plan to diversify product offerings for Indigenous operators. The group aims to sustain the industry and preserve Indigenous knowledge through accessible digital tours.
• September 2020: As of 2020, Indigenous Tourism Ontario represents over 550 Indigenous tourism businesses and approximately 300 non-Indigenous members. The organization developed a five-year strategic and COVID-19 recovery plan. Under the leadership of Kevin Eshkawkogan, the association released reports in March and April 2020 regarding the potential economic impacts of the pandemic.
• September 2021: Indigenous Tourism Ontario reports that one in three international visitors to Canada are interested in experiencing Indigenous culture. As of September 2021, the organization had recently launched a food tourism strategy titled FEAST: Growing Indigenous Food Tourism in Ontario.
• December 2021: The organization released a report on November 30, 2021, regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Indigenous tourism industry. As of December 2021, it advocates for an annual investment of $2.5 million to support the recovery of the sector in Ontario. The group focuses on community unity and the marketing of authentic Indigenous experiences to preserve culture.
• December 2021: The organization is a presenter of the Indigenous Ingenuity exhibition in Thunder Bay.
• January 2022: The organization collaborated with Science North and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery to present an exhibition in Thunder Bay.
• February 2022: The organization works to unite communities and industry leaders to market authentic Indigenous experiences. It partnered with the Tourism Innovation Lab to launch the second year of the Skode Program in February 2022. The group is led by President and CEO Kevin Eshkawkogan.
• March 2022: The organization works to ensure Indigenous stories are told on their own terms within the Ontario tourism industry. The group has developed virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to create new revenue streams for members. As of March 2022, the organization is developing an augmented reality application to educate users about traditional territories and treaty lands across Ontario.
• September 2022: The organization presented the first Weekend for Truth and Reconciliation in Sault Ste. Marie in September 2022. The association focuses on forming partnerships to support the growth of Indigenous tourism across Ontario and Canada. The group organized a bilingual drone show and a cultural showcase at The Machine Shop as part of commemorative activities.
• October 2022: The organization supported two historic hockey games in October 2022 to highlight the future of Indigenous sport tourism in Ontario. It aims to form partnerships between businesses and government departments to grow authentic Indigenous tourism experiences in Canada. The association is identifying the need for a specific Indigenous sport tourism strategy for the province.
• November 2022: Indigenous Tourism Ontario entered into a partnership with Biskane to expand the online marketplace's reach. The organization represents a membership of 238 businesses.
• January 2023: The organization acted as a supporting partner for the Toronto Maple Leafs Indigenous Celebration game in January 2023.
• April 2023: The organization launched the inaugural ITO All Stars Cup to promote tourism careers to First Nations youth. It partnered with the Little Native Hockey League and Nipissing First Nation during a 2023 tournament in Mississauga. The association manages the FEAST Indigenous Food Tourism Strategy to develop the Indigenous workforce in Ontario.
• April 2023: The association signed a memorandum of understanding with Camping in Ontario on March 27, 2023, to formalize a partnership. The organization focuses on creating partnerships to grow the Indigenous tourism industry and market authentic experiences in Ontario and Canada. The group aims to support First Nations prosperity and increase diversity within the campground sector.
• April 2023: The organization is the only dedicated Indigenous tourism body in Ontario and is recognized by the Chiefs of Ontario. It partnered with Science North to facilitate the Indigenous Ingenuity, Timeless Inventions exhibition tour. The group aims to improve economic conditions for Indigenous people through marketing, advocacy, and financial support for tourism operators.
• September 2023: The organization received $3.5 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario to support tourism businesses.
• October 2023: The organization supports economic stability for communities through experiential tourism and focuses on cultural authenticity and workforce development. As of October 2023, the group employs five business advisors across Ontario to provide programs and workshops. The organization collaborated with Garden River First Nation to bring film crews to Ojibway Park for a Destination Ontario marketing promotion.
• April 2024: Indigenous Tourism Ontario is the first client of the identity verification service Debwewin. The organization is working with Chad Solomon to determine the Indigenous authenticity of all its members.
• August 2024: The organization is led by president and CEO Kevin Eshkawkogan.
• December 2024: Indigenous Tourism Ontario launched the fifth edition of the Skode Program to support Indigenous culinary entrepreneurs. The organization recently introduced the FEAST: Growing Indigenous Food Tourism in Ontario program to guide food tourism development. The group collaborates with the Tourism Innovation Lab to provide seed funding and mentorship to contest winners.
• February 2025: The organization is led by president and CEO Kevin Eshkawkogan.
• April 2025: The Anishinabek Nation is integrating its tourism development efforts with this organization to create a Regional Tourism Strategy.
• June 2025: The organization partnered with Science North to present the Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions exhibition. It is the first and only dedicated Indigenous tourism body in Ontario and is recognized by the Chiefs of Ontario. The group provides financial, marketing, and advocacy support to Indigenous tourism owners and operators.
• July 2025: Indigenous Tourism Ontario is one of three founding members of the Indigenous Coalition of Tourism Champions. The organization is headquartered in Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island. As of July 2025, the organization has not worked alongside the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada for five years.
• December 2025: Representatives from the organization presented on the importance of authenticity and storytelling in building Indigenous-owned businesses. The group collaborates with local artists to feature regional Indigenous designs on annual industry awards.
• April 2026: The organization manages the Indigenous Ingenuity exhibit which features interactive cultural displays. A representative from the organization spoke at the Northwestern Ontario First Nations Economic Gathering about using cultural practices to educate youth.
• August 2026: The organization launched its first drone show in Little Current in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers prepackaged drone performances including The History of Treaty 9 and 150 Years of the Indian Act. The group operates out of the Four Directions Event Complex in Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation.
• October 2026: Indigenous Tourism Ontario operates based on four pillars: cultural authenticity, product development, marketing and branding, and workforce development.