Indigenous tourism is playing an increasingly important role across Canada by offering visitors authentic and meaningful experiences rooted in the histories, cultures, and traditional knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. These tourism initiatives not only help deepen cultural understanding and connection but also support Indigenous entrepreneurs, strengthen local economies, and advance economic reconciliation and self-determination.
The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), together with Alana Hirtle, Member of Parliament for Cumberland–Colchester, and Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), announced a Budget 2025 investment of $6 million in additional funding for the Indigenous Tourism Fund’s Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream (SITES). The announcement was made at the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre on the Millbrook First Nation in Mi’kma’ki, where the government also revealed the projects that will benefit from the new funding.
The Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream is designed to support major tourism experiences that can serve as anchor attractions in Indigenous communities while improving the infrastructure and services needed to grow tourism. Building on the success of its first funding round, the additional $6 million will help expand export-ready, market-sustainable, community-supported Indigenous tourism experiences and destinations. The initiative is intended to strengthen Canada’s position as a leading global destination while unlocking more of the visitor economy’s potential through Indigenous-led tourism.
Several projects across the country will receive support through this funding. In Nova Scotia, the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre will receive support for the construction of a new cultural centre that will share Mi’kmaw history and culture with students and visitors. In Quebec, Restaurant Sagamité will expand its Indigenous cuisine offerings to the Québec City airport. In Ontario, the Six Nations of the Grand River will build a new welcome centre to enhance visitor capacity and promote the community and its historic sites.
In Alberta, the Enoch Cree Nation will use the funding to help construct a new River Cree Thermal Spa, envisioned as a world-class wellness destination to be completed in 2028. In British Columbia, the Spo7ez Cultural Centre and Community Society will expand its cultural centre with a commercial kitchen, café, catering services, and a larger gift shop. The Tla-o-qui-aht Development Corporation will also receive support to expand resort infrastructure, including a new spa space and 12 camping units.
This new $6 million investment adds to more than $50 million the Government of Canada has already directed toward Indigenous tourism over the last three years through programs such as the Indigenous Tourism Fund and the Tourism Growth Program. The federal government said this additional funding reflects its broader commitment under Budget 2025 to building a stronger Canadian economy in partnership with Indigenous Peoples.
According to the government, the Indigenous Tourism Fund was launched in 2023 with $20 million over two years to help the sector recover from the pandemic and support long-term sustainable growth. Through this latest round of SITES funding, the supported projects are expected to attract more than 663,000 visitors in total, generate stronger revenue streams for Indigenous communities, and create approximately 128 new full-time jobs.
Indigenous tourism has also been a key focus of the Tourism Growth Program. By December 2025, the program had exceeded its original target of dedicating at least 15% of funds to Indigenous-led tourism initiatives, with 20% of its funding allocated to 88 Indigenous projects. This highlights the growing emphasis on Indigenous-led experiences within Canada’s broader tourism development strategy.
The sector’s economic impact continues to be significant. According to the Conference Board of Canada, Indigenous tourism generated an estimated $3.7 billion in revenue in 2023, directly contributed $1.6 billion to Canada’s GDP, and supported around 34,700 jobs nationwide. It also provides important opportunities for women, with 36% of Indigenous tourism businesses owned by women.
NACCA, which is helping administer and guide these efforts, represents more than 50 Indigenous financial institutions across Canada and has over 35 years of experience in Indigenous economic development. Working alongside an Indigenous Advisory Committee made up of representatives from tourism associations across the country, NACCA helps identify and assess projects that deliver positive community impact and have the potential to attract further investment.
