ITBC Appoints Tewanee Joseph as the Interim Chief Governance and Partnership Officer

New role reinforces the importance of collaboration and strategic partnerships across BC

March 2, 2020, Coast Salish Territories (Vancouver, BC):  Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tewanee Joseph as interim Chief Governance and Partnership Officer. In this role Joseph will work closely with the House of Tyee (Board of Directors) to guide governance and policy on matters related to governance within Indigenous tourism and is the primary contact for all Tillicums (partners) to ITBC.

Joseph is a member of the Squamish First Nation and served for eight years on the Squamish Nation Council, where he forwarded First Nation federal legislation, land management, strategic communications and governance. He also played an instrumental role in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Four Host First Nations Secretariat. During his tenure he oversaw unprecedented Indigenous participation in the planning and hosting of the Games, and successfully negotiated a milestone partnership between Indigenous communities and the International Olympic Committee.

Joseph’s extensive experience in diplomacy and collaboration will strengthen ITBC’s ability to build mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance Indigenous tourism. The organization has devised operational strategies that ensure long-term sustainable growth, with an emphasis on relationships with regional and national bodies to facilitate economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.

The Chief Governance and Partnership Officer operates alongside the Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Marketing and Development Officer. The three Chief Officers work in collaboration to develop BC’s Indigenous tourism industry, with decisions made by consensus, and report to the Board of Directors.

“One of ITBC’s key strategies to further Indigenous tourism across the province is developing reciprocal partnerships that assist extend our influence,” said Brenda Baptiste, ITBC Board Chair. “I have full confidence that Tewanee Joseph will excel as interim Chief Governance and Partnership Officer, particularly given his impressive ability to respectfully facilitate longstanding alliances between Indigenous communities, governing bodies and multi-national corporations.”

About Indigenous Tourism BC:

Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is a non-profit, Stakeholder-based organization committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry. Through training, information resources, networking opportunities and cooperative marketing programs, ITBC is a resource for Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities in BC who are operating or looking to start a tourism business. ITBC works closely with tourism, business, education and government organizations to help BC’s Indigenous tourism businesses offer quality experiences and actively promote these experiences to visitors and local residents. www.indigenousbc.com.