Tourism in Wendake First Nation, Quebec

Pride in Huron-Wendat culture is reflected in all of its tourism projects, aimed at sharing the past, present and future.

Transcript: Wendake First Nation, Quebec

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Transcript: Wendake First Nation, Quebec

Kwe Kwe...

welcome to Wendake

Nestled alongside the Kouba Kabir Falls on the outskirts of Quebec City...

... Home of the Huron-Wendat First Nation...

... The host nation of Quebec City's anniversary celebrations, honouring 400 years of shared history between European and First Nations peoples.

Through the efforts of the Huron-Wendat Nation Council, the Elders Council and its 3,000 members, and with support from the Federal government and other agencies, Wendake is a must-see tourist attraction in the Quebec region...

Pride in Huron-Wendat culture is reflected in all of its tourism projects, aimed at sharing the past, present and future.

Wendake holds cultural festivals and pow-wows throughout the year and has a number of tourist attractions...

Onhoua Cheteke, The Huron traditional site on Wendake territory, provides a unique opportunity to discover the history, culture and lifestyle of the Huron-Wendat of the past.

Guided tours are given year-round to tourists and school groups from all over the world.

The site provides 300 full and part time jobs to community members, and many local artisans provide crafts, such as leatherwork for its gift shop.

The Huron-Wendat First Nation has been working tirelessly, preparing to welcome and accommodate the many visitors anticipated for the 400th anniversary celebrations.

Among the Council's ambitious cultural and tourist development plans are:

... a new tourism information bureau

...a 300-seat amphitheatre dedicated to promoting and sharing First Nations Art and Culture

...and the First Nations Hotel-Museum

Many years in planning, this 4-star combination hotel and museum gets its inspiration from Huron-Wendat culture.

With start-up funding from several agencies at local, provincial and federal levels, the band maintains 60% ownership of the property.

50% of the hotel and museum staff is made up of First Nations members, many of whom were trained locally at the Development and Workforce Training Centre of the Huron-Wendat Nation

...The Centre offers Adult Education, college degrees and professional training programs.

The First Nations Hotel-Museum opened as scheduled in March of 2008.

Grand Chief Max Gros-Louis welcomed dignitaries, officials, community members and the media in the opening ceremonies.

Huron-Wendat culture was proudly on display throughout the day, with prayer, song, dance and traditional foods.

The hotel-museum recalls the architecture of a traditional Iroquois longhouse tucked into the woods along the Akiawenrahk River bank.

It houses 55 guest rooms, conference rooms and a 125-seat gourmet restaurant.

Guests are welcomed, upon check- in by knowledgeable fully trained receptionists.

The restaurant serves authentic flavours inspired by traditional First Nations cuisine, with a contemporary flare.

Menu items, such as venison, game and fish are skilfully prepared by the chef and his staff.

The museum is a visceral journey into the past

... the visitor enters the forest-like setting , enveloped by a richly resonating soundscape and video projections,

... Carefully preserved Huron-Wendat artefacts and collections are on display.

The treasures spanning hundreds of years demonstrate the expertise, customs and way of life of the Huron-Wendat people

The Huron-Wendat First Nation has succeeded in its mission to be a dynamic manager within its own environment through integrated, sustainable projects of a social and cultural nature

....with the people of Wendake as its most valuable resource

...keeping the lessons of their ancestors alive for the generations of the future.