Faculty, Hospitality Management Program and Advisor of the Hospitality Club.
In a significant step towards reconciliation, the Hospitality Faculty and Hospitality Club at Acsenda School of Management joined the “Orange Campaign” to promote the success stories of Indigenous entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. The goal of this initiative was to highlight the way Indigenous peoples are transforming their cultural heritage and traditions into thriving businesses, fostering both economic success and cultural preservation.
Understanding the Past: A Lesson in Truth and Reconciliation
As part of the Orange Campaign, students in BHMT 101, Introduction to Hospitality Management, were introduced to the painful history of Residential Schools and the Indian Act—tools historically used to assimilate Indigenous peoples into the Euro-Canadian way of life. For many students, this was their first encounter with the realities of these injustices. Through this learning journey, they gained a deeper understanding of how Indigenous communities have overcome challenges, finding ways to preserve their cultural identity.
Some of the Indigenous businesses covered: the Bill Reid Gallery, Mr. Bannock, Salmon n’ Bannock, Skwachàys Lodge, and Talaysay Tours. These businesses serve as examples of how Indigenous entrepreneurs are integrating their heritage with the modern business world, offering visitors firsthand experience of Indigenous culture.
Why Indigenous Tourism Matters for Reconciliation
Indigenous tourism is more than just an industry—it plays a critical role in the reconciliation process by bridging cultural gaps and fostering understanding between different communities. Visitors have the opportunity to appreciate Indigenous traditions, values, and ways of life, while Indigenous business owners reinvest their success into community development and cultural revitalization programs. These initiatives not only strengthen local economies but also contribute to the preservation of Indigenous culture for future generations.
A Student’s Reflection on Mr. Bannock’s Story
One BHMT 101 student shared a personal reflection after learning about the success of Mr. Bannock, Vancouver’s first Indigenous food truck:
“From this week’s lecture, what stands out to me the most is about the story of Mr. Bannock, the first Indigenous food truck in Vancouver, Canada. I am very inspired by how he struggled with his life after his father’s death and support his family since the age of 11, being the eldest child of the family and the steps he followed to preserve the indigenous identity specially from the Squamish Nation. This food truck reflects in bringing indigenous cuisine to the streets, with a unique blend of traditional and modern flavors. Learning about Mr. Bannock made me feel motivated and happy to see indigenous culture reflected in such a creative and accessible way, along with the motivations of brotherhood on innovating the ingredients that reflect their own ancestry. This story is important to me because it shows how Indigenous businesses can innovate while remaining trustworthy to their cultural heritage. It also emphasizes the growing need for real Indigenous experiences in metropolitan areas, which aids in cultural preservation and awareness. It also shows to help the needy people along with knowledge of indigenous food culture. This taught me that supporting indigenous businesses like Mr. Bannock is more than just enjoying tasty food; it is also about appreciating and preserving cultural norms and values. In the future, I plan to actively seek out and support such enterprises that encourage Indigenous culture and business so that the upcoming generation would know how important is to know about your past backgrounds and how they should preserve and continue their cultural identity.”
Looking Forward: Supporting Indigenous Success Stories
What happened to the Indigenous peoples in Canada cannot be erased, but recognizing the harm done and supporting efforts to revitalize Indigenous culture is a step towards reconciliation. The success stories from Indigenous businesses in British Columbia inspire us to not only appreciate Indigenous entrepreneurship but to find meaningful ways to support these initiatives.
By learning from these stories and sharing them with others, we can all contribute to the ongoing journey of reconciliation. Indigenous tourism provides a unique opportunity to experience rich cultural traditions while supporting the communities that keep them alive.
To read more about other student reflections on the Orange Campaign and the inspiring stories of Indigenous businesses, please visit the following websites:
- Bill Reid Gallery, in the heart of downtown Vancouver, home of the permanent collection of Bill Reid as well as contemporary exhibitions.
- Mr. Bannock, the first Indigenous food truck in Vancouver.
- Salmon N Bannock, offering authentic Indigenous food in urban Vancouver.
- Skwachàys Lodge, a downtown Vancouver hotel, art gallery and store operating as a social enterprise and supporting Indigenous artists.
- Talaysay Tours, indigenous cultural and eco-tourism experiences in and around Vancouver, Squamish and the Sunshine Coast.
- Indigenous Tourism BC, a non-profit, Stakeholder-based organization committed to the continued growth of a sustainable, authentic and culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry in British Columbia.
- Student Reflection and Hospitality Club Instagram Posts
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