Community assessment of Indigenous language-based tourism projects in Haida Gwaii (British Columbia, Canada)

Abstract

Research into language-based tourism programming is rare. Aside from a few studies that consider the language/tourism nexus broadly, research has failed to examine the community context in which development takes place or the impact of communities on the choice of suitable projects. This study assessed the relative merits of 12 proposed language-based tourism projects to support the development and revitalization of Haida language. This research was conducted in two phases: initially, informal focus groups were used to identify key criteria affecting development, which were then used as a means of reflecting on the proposed projects from the perspective of the community. The results show that the two projects with the greatest potential include Impromptu Cultural Performances and Increased Signage in Haida Language. The level of community support contingent upon their ability to (1) find suitable partnerships, (2) secure adequate approvals, (3) hold long term industry potential, (4) deepen speaker opportunities, and (5) moderate high level political concerns. This research fills a gap in the literature by offering evidence to support projects best suited to the needs and aspirations of the community and introduces a necessary distinction between language use in tourism settings versus language planning in tourism settings.

Keywords:

• Community buy-in
• cultural stewardship
• indigenous tourism
• language revitalization
• language planning
• program development
• sustainable culture

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Kelly Whitney-Gould received a doctorate in Tourism Management from the University of Otago and went on to complete a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Northern British Columbia to continue working with the Haida Nation to support the development and revitalization of their heritage language. Dr. Whitney-Gould lives and works in Haida Gwaii.

Pamela Wright is an Associate Professor at the University of Northern British Columbia, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. Dr. Wright’s research focuses on conservation-based approaches to protected areas design and management inclusive of indigenous tourism and the scial and ecological impacts and benefits of tourism and recreation.

Jason (Gaagwiis) Alsop holds a Masters of Tourism Management through Royal Roads University, Victoria, British Columbia. Jason has worked in tourism management for many years at the Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay and the Haida Gwaii Museum and is currently Chair of the Council of Haida Nation Tourism Committee and the Culture and Language Committee.

Anna Carr’s research specialties are focused on cultural landscapes, nature tourism in protected areas, political ecology and Indigenous tourism development. She is a researcher and senior lecturer at the Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand.

Notes

1 The article addresses the reciprocal nature of the tourism exchange and speaks to the potential contribution of visitors to supporting improved local language use in tourism settings (See Whitney-Squire, Wright, & Alsop, 2017).

2 There are no words in the Haida language that refer to the entirety of the islands as done in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

3 There are three dialects of the Haida language; the southern dialect in Skidegate (HlGaagilda), the northern dialect in Old Massett (Gaw) and the Alaskan dialect in Hydaburg/Ketchikan (K’iis Xaat’aaay Tlagaay) (Steedman & (Jisgang) Collison, 2011).

4 Linguists use “domains” to describe a range of settings where people use languages, for example, the family domain, the workplace domain, the ceremony domain, the education domain, etc. (Fishman, 1972).

5 The central researcher undertaking this study is not indigenous and has worked with the Haida community on language and tourism related issues for over eight years.

6 A 12-point scale was used to accommodate nuanced and relational contexts in the community: a smaller scale was considered inadequate.

7 The draft Haida Language Revitalization Plan (2014) is a community document designed to support greater language use in the home and community.

8 “Speaking community” includes speakers and non-speakers of the language.

9 The unit, found in Naikoon Provincial Park, is powered by a light sensor, which has proven unreliable in an area that receives limited sunshine. Blackbox-av technology (blackboxav.co.uk) uses a crank system so the units are not reliant on weather conditions.

10 Classifications are largely attributed to Nancy Dorian (1998) and generally used by Haida to differentiate speaker abilities (1) non-speakers, (2) silent speakers (understand, but do not speak), (3) language learners (new learners), (4) semi-speakers (developing speakers), (5) language proficients (advanced learners), and (6) fluent speakers. (Original source not obtained. See also (Whitney-Squire, 2014)).

11 The Haida title case was filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on February 2, 2018 (CHN v. BC, 2018). “The place names map is now filed as evidence and can be accessed by Haida people for educational purposes” (J. Alsop [Gaagwiis], personal communication, May 17, 2018).