Government of Canada Supports Ecotourism Development in the Community of EssipitESSIPIT, Quebec, June 14, 2002 — The Montagnais community of Essipit is today celebrating the opening of its new ecotourism accommodation complex, the Natakam, which signifies —on the riverbank—. The Government of Canada, through Industry Canada's Aboriginal Business Canada program and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, contributed $875,000 to this $3.8-million project. This investment will enable the community of Essipit to expand its tourism sector and create permanent jobs, which will in turn contribute to local economic growth.
“This investment will allow the Montagnais of Essipit to adapt to the specific needs of the ecotourism sector and to offer their products in various national and international markets,”said Industry Minister Allan Rock.
“I am very proud of the relationship that has been established between the Government of Canada and the community of Essipit, which has always shown initiative in its commercial and tourism activities,” said Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Robert Nault. “Communities such as this one,” he added, “demonstrate the success of partnerships between the various levels of government and the private sector that are aimed at enhancing the quality of life of Aboriginal people.”
The new ecotourism accommodation complex, located near the town of Les Escoumins on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence, is the result of ongoing efforts by the residents of Essipit, who have been investing in the tourism industry for more than 20 years to ensure the economic development of their community. In fact, 60 per cent of the community's revenue comes from tourism. The four-star accommodation centre consists of eight four-unit buildings that offer panoramic views of the Laurentian coastline. Visitors to the centre will have a unique opportunity to discover the traditional values and culture of the Montagnais people.
Essipit offers a broad range of tourism services, including activities for discovering the traditional Montagnais culture and whale-watching cruises, which have become increasingly popular over the years.
Previously existing accommodation facilities could not meet the growing demand. “It was becoming vital for the community to bolster its ability to accommodate the large number of tourists visiting from around the globe,” noted Marc Genest, the community of Essipit's Director of Economic Development. He also pointed out that “this addition will consolidate our community's tourism industry and help boost all of our reserve's economic activities.”
The Government of Canada's support for this project represents the commitment made in the most recent Speech from the Throne to strengthen the entrepreneurial and business expertise of Aboriginal people in order to promote the growth of Aboriginal enterprises within the Canadian economy.
A sum of $625,000 was allocated to the project through Industry Canada's Aboriginal Business Canada program, and an additional $250,000 was provided by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada through the Economic Development Opportunity Fund and the Resources Acquisition Initiative.
Aboriginal Business Canada encourages the growth of Aboriginal businesses by providing services, information and support to clients in all sectors of the economy, and by promoting trade and market expansion, including Aboriginal tourism, innovation, the training of young entrepreneurs, and the strengthening of Aboriginal financial and business organizations. Aboriginal Business Canada assistance is available to Status and Non-Status Indians living both on and off reserve, as well as to Inuit and Métis of Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Marc Genest
Director of Economic Development
Essipit Montagnais Council
(418) 233-2509
Web site: http://www.essipit.com
Alastair Mullen
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Robert Nault
Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (819) 997-0002
Selena Beattie
Office of Allan Rock
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
|