YVR and ITBC Announce Indigenous Tourism Training Grant Recipients

MUSQUEAM TERRITORY / VANCOUVER, BC (June 28, 2022) – Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) and YVR announce the award of Indigenous Tourism Training Grants to two YVR partners, Salmon ‘n’ Bannock On The Fly and Musqueam Art Store. The announcement comes during National Indigenous Peoples Month – a time to celebrate all Indigenous peoples, including Musqueam, on whose territory the Vancouver International Airport sits.

Through these grants, Indigenous Tourism BC will support coordinating and delivering a suite of 11 industry-standard tourism training courses. The two programs will help a minimum of 14 Indigenous students each and cover all training costs, including living allowance. The programs are customized to the needs of the two grant recipients and funded by the Province of BC as part of the Indigenous Labour Training Program.

The first Indigenous Tourism Training Grant is awarded to Musqueam Employment and Training to provide merchandising and marketing training for artisans, frontline and super host training for Musqueam Art Store retail clerks at YVR.

“Art connects the present with the past, and is key to keeping culture strong. Musqueam Employment and Training is humbled and honoured to receive an ITBC grant to support ongoing training for emerging artists and folks interested in retail,” said Malonie Langthorne, Musqueam Employment and Training Manager. “The Musqueam Art Store at YVR provides artists an opportunity to gain insight into the business side of the art world, preparing them for their professional careers.”

The second Indigenous Tourism Training Grant is awarded to the new Salmon ’n’ Bannock On the Fly at YVR. This grant will provide industry-standard education for the new kitchen and front-of-house teams in preparation for the July 2022 opening of the restaurant’s second location.

“Salmon ‘n’ Bannock is the only Indigenous restaurant in Vancouver. We are excited to open our second location at YVR,” said Darnell Stager, Manager of Salmon ’n’ Bannock On the Fly. “This training grant from ITBC will help us grow our already talented team and bring modern Indigenous cuisine to new heights.“

In 2021, Indigenous Tourism BC and Vancouver Airport Authority signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their working relationship, with a shared vision to support a sustainable Indigenous tourism economy and the economic recovery of BC after COVID-19.

“Indigenous Tourism BC is honoured to support YVR’s commitment to Musqueam Indian Band and sustainable Indigenous-owned businesses, with education-to-employment opportunities that observe Indigenous protocols. We celebrate our relationships with YVR and Musqueam,” says Brenda Baptiste, Chair of Indigenous Tourism BC.

This year, National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 marked the fifth anniversary of the Sustainability and Friendship Agreement between YVR and Musqueam. The first-of-its-kind agreement acknowledges YVR’s responsibility to the Musqueam community and commitment to creating education-to-employment opportunities.

“As proud partners of Indigenous Tourism BC, we applaud their work to support British Columbia’s rich and diverse Indigenous tourism industry. These tourism training grants for two important businesses at YVR will lead to education and employment opportunities for Musqueam with the potential for continued learning and growth at the airport. As we reflect on the five-year anniversary of our Sustainability and Friendship Agreement with Musqueam, we are honoured and privileged to be part of the continued work and benefits that come from our shared partnership,” said Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority.

About YVR

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a diverse global hub that connects people, cargo, data, and ideas and serves as a platform for our community to come together thrive. We are motivated by supporting regional economic development and making a positive difference in the lives of British Columbians. We do this with a focus on serving our passengers, partners, workers, and community through digital modernization, climate leadership, reconciliation, and financial sustainability.

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.

Media Contacts

Vancouver International Airport / YVR

Danielle Palfery | [email protected]

Indigenous Tourism BC

Nine Point Agency | www.ninepointagency.com

Kaya Arai | [email protected]

Kerry Hittinger | [email protected]