First Nations to enhance tourism offerings

A large portion of the more than $420,000 Tourism Is Our Future project of

the Manitoulin Island M'Chigeeng First Nations has been funded by the

Ontario government.

The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAH) announced

recently that it was contributing $336,072 toward the project to develop

new tourism opportunities for the Manitoulin Island communities. The

project will provide participants with information, training resources and

best practices to take advantage of the local tourism industry by improving

customer service, marketing and management skills.

Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute, the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation and the

United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin will fund the balance.

"We're extremely pleased to have the support of the Ontario government,"

says Robert Beaudin, executive director of the Kenjgewin Teg Educational

Institute. "This partnership will bring together the knowledge and

expertise needed to create a winning tourism industry right here on

Manitoulin Island."