Photo credit: TAC/Simon Ratcliffe
Mistissini’s Nibiischii Corporation was a big winner at the annual Indigenous Tourism Awards February 27, earning the Quebec industry’s prize for Best Enterprise of the Year. Nibiischii was recognized as “a leader in ecotourism and sustainability” in managing the province’s largest wildlife reserve.
In accepting the award, Mistissini tourism coordinator Andrew Coon emphasized the community’s resilience. After finally getting “the keys to the office” in April 2017 – when the community took full control of the reserve – Coon said a record number of visitors came to the territory.
With this year’s International Indigenous Tourism Conference being held in Montreal, a large delegation of Nibiischii’s board members and growing team was able to attend the event’s diverse workshops and celebrate the achievement. The award has raised interest in Nibiischii from tour operators and aspiring Cree cultural ambassadors.
“We’ve already had people from Waswanipi, Wemindji, calling to say I can give workshops,” said Nibiischii executive director Mireille Gravel. “I’m extremely proud. For us it was more than just a trophy. It was recognition of our hard work and dedication as a team since 2017.”
While the reserve has long enjoyed a reputation as a fishing destination, it has been steadily adding attractions along Waconichi Lake’s shoreline that reinforce both Cree culture and its ecotourism mandate. Various environmental certifications recognize its meticulous attention to sustainable development.
Besides renovating existing rustic log cabins for comfort and energy efficiency, Nibiischii added solar-powered Mwakw floating cabins in 2022. Visitors can watch movies at a waterfront cinepark or gaze at the northern lights through the region’s largest telescope in its astronomical observatory – soon to be International Dark Sky certified.
This winter marked the first time it remained open year-round, hosting several Cree entities and local corporations and operating at near capacity. Snowshoes and hok skis are available for guests who may also participate in educational activities, workshops and games. Microbrewery beer and Niimaawin (“food for travel”) vacuum-packed meals inspired by Cree culinary culture are available for purchase.
“The reflection of the documentary on snow was an amazing experience, like northern lights,” Gravel said. “People can watch from inside igloo-like domes we’ve installed that are heated with a comfortable fur carpet. We have a big ice rink now, snow yoga, the polar dip with saunas on the lake.”
In a few weeks, 360-degree virtual tours demonstrating the Cree way of life will be ready to launch. The short clips will provide valuable cultural context to activities like the 4.5-km aerial trail, which will offer fantastic views from a suspended bridge and cliffhanging sections when it opens later this year.
Cultural development officer Mario Lord has introduced a whole other level of cultural authenticity since being hired full-time after last year’s Goose Break. Lord has led workshops ranging from demonstrations of traditional trapping and ice fishing to building shelters and finding medicinal plants.
“I’m trying to build a little Cree village and pass on our stories, where we came from and how we survived,” Lord told the Nation. “Right now, I only have a shaptuan installed, doing some traditional sewing, a bit of crafts, showing traditional tools and how to make moose hides. We’ve kept busy all winter.”
Nellie Wapachee Gray has led moccasin-making workshops with her mother, while the Mianscum family, whose trapline hosts the Waconichi site, occasionally greet visitors and light the teepee fire. In January, an assistant was hired for Lord, who he said has been learning quickly.
The tourism conference provided cross-cultural connections and ideas for expanding next summer’s workshops. Inspired by other First Nations making a spice from dried blueberries and pepper from boughs, Lord hopes to one day live in an Inuit community to bolster his knowledge.
“There were a lot of travel agents interested in our traditional things,” said Lord. “I was very happy when we got the awards. I’ve worked all my life and never had that kind of recognition.”
During the conference, Cree artists Tim Whiskeychan and Emma-Jane Dixon Whiskeychan presented a guided painting session while Deborah Ratt taught beadwork. Artists from the Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association presented at the Artisan Marketplace as community representatives networked and shared knowledge.
As in past years, Nibiischii’s successful award entry was driven by the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association. COTA is considering the development of new travel packages that could, for instance, combine a stay at Nibiischii with Ouje-Bougoumou’s Cree Cultural Institute and Waswanipi’s cultural festivals.
“It’s trying to find the hidden specialty of each destination,” explained COTA executive director Robin McGinley. “James Bay, with the potential of the national marine conservation area, is going to be a whole other beautiful gem. They can highlight polar bears and belugas that Nibiischii doesn’t have.”
Waskaganish’s Wiinipaakw Tours is swiftly positioning itself as a tourism force after operating at full capacity last summer. With popular chartered cruises out on the bay helmed by Cree captains, they’re considering adding a second boat and multi-day excursions.
Noting that Eeyou Istchee is the size of France, McGinley suggested that each Cree community leverage Nibiischii’s success to become a unique destination. Five communities are exploring the creation of campgrounds, which could include Creetopia “glamping” tents.
Environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of Cree tourism, highlighted by Nibiischii’s designation in November as the province’s first national park operated by a First Nations community. The culmination of over two decades of negotiations, the legal protection status will help conserve old-growth forests and at-risk species while promoting access to Lake Mistassini.
As organizations like Nibiischii Corporation aren’t allowed to manage protected areas, the Albanel Lake and Penicouane Bay camping sites will be transferred to the national park’s operations while the Waconichi site will remain. Although all three sites are almost fully booked for the summer, lodging will stay limited to maintain healthy fish populations.
“We have such a long list of activities we want to develop,” shared Gravel. “We’ve had tour operators and journalists from around the world and got a really positive response. Hopefully we’ll be hosting international clientele next year.”