From unlikely to likely partnerships for change - child welfare and Indigenous tourism in Canada

Abstract

The Indigenous tourism sector in Canada is rapidly developing. However, Indigenous communities are challenged by the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system. This multidisciplinary paper explores the intersection of child welfare and Indigenous tourism in Canada, specifically, by examining the role of Indigenous tourism in contributing to the welfare of Indigenous children in their communities. This paper reviewed grey Canadian tourism literature and analysed whether the industry is publicly acknowledging child welfare in their public discourse. Results indicate that Canadian tourism associations are not addressing child welfare in their public facing documents. Applying complexity theory as a lens, this paper discusses how this unlikely partnership between the child welfare and Indigenous tourism industry is critical in increasing the benefits of tourism, while intentionally finding ways to reduce the risks, particularly to children. This article concludes with recommendations on how this unlikely partnership can be fostered to become a likely partnership.

Keywords:

• Child welfare
• indigenous tourism
• complexity theory
• sustainable development goals
• partnerships
• reconciliation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge that this work was written on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), sḵwxú7mesh (Squamish), selíwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and Stó:lō (Stolo) nations as well as the traditional and unceded territories of the Hupačasath and cišaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht) nations. The authors are grateful to be able to work, live and play on these traditional territories. Additionally, the authors would like to thank the referees and editors for their detailed comments and feedback.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded by any grant-awarding bodies.

Notes on contributors

Genevieve Huneault

Genevieve Huneault is the Principal Consultant and Founder of Social Root Consulting, a consulting collective that advises on ethical and sustainable development practices in BC, Canada. Genevieve also works with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada within the Development department. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Tourism Management from Vancouver Island University and is completing a Masters of Arts in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia. Her work is grounded in participatory-based community development, with an expertise in natural resource management, gender analysis, intercultural communications, and sustainable tourism research and development.

Mari Otomo

Mari Otomo is a social work professional working in Indigenous child welfare in Vancouver, Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Simon Fraser University, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of British Columbia and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Calgary. She is also the Principal Consultant at Social Root Consulting, advising on socially and environmentally sustainable projects. She is passionate about contributing to sustainable systems change on complex world issues.