466. Indigenous Tourism and Community Impact at Métis Crossing, with Juanita Marois

On this episode of Destination on the Left, Juanita Marois, CEO of Métis Crossing, shares her personal experience in developing a tourism destination tied to her roots as a Métis Indigenous person from Canada. She shares in detail how the destination engages visitors by sharing what makes them special, including the experiences Métis Crossing offers—from paddling down the North Saskatchewan River in voyageur canoes to wandering historic buffalo habitats, indulging in Indigenous cuisine, and soon, relaxing at a uniquely Métis-inspired wellness spa. We also talk about collaboration and how Métis Crossing is making a positive impact for both visitors and local residents.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• How Juanita's personal journey as a Métis woman influenced her path from consultant to CEO of Métis Crossing
• Why community collaboration and inclusivity are central to the successful development of Métis Crossing
• The creation of immersive, cultural, and seasonal experiences that engage visitors' heads, hearts, hands, and hunger
• How Métis Crossing uses storytelling, land-based learning, and nature to educate visitors about Métis history, Indigenous relationships to land, and sustainability
• Why collaboration is key in Indigenous tourism, and how Métis Crossing works with other attractions to build itineraries
• How the philosophy of shared benefit guides partnerships with local government and other cultural destinations
• What the future holds for Métis Crossing, including innovative projects like the Sage and Spruce Indigenous spa and expanded cultural experiences that honor both Indigenous and European Métis heritage

Elevating Métis Crossing as a Destination

Building Métis Crossing as a premier Indigenous destination was no accident. By leading with culture and encompassing accommodation and culinary experiences, Métis Crossing provides a one-of-a-kind, immersive journey. Visitors come not just for a vacation, but also to learn about the area's history and traditions.

Signature experiences include "Paddle into the Past", a river voyage retracing Métis fur trade routes, and the Wildlife Park, where guests see buffalo up close and learn about historic buffalo hunts, essential to the Métis nation's evolution. The destination engages travelers' head, heart, hands, and hunger, ensuring every visitor leaves with a deeper connection to Métis culture and the Alberta landscape.

Creativity and Collaboration

Developing Métis Crossing wasn't without obstacles. Juanita describes how collaboration became a creative solution and how she worked with local municipalities, the provincial government, and destination organizations to address regulatory hurdles and land-use challenges. By involving partners early and often, Métis Crossing became a model for inclusive development, proving that transformational change happens when stakeholders unite around shared goals.

Infrastructure, Innovation, and Meaningful Impact

From its origins as a hay field and historic homesteads, Métis Crossing now spans over 1,800 acres with restored buildings, a cultural gathering center, boutique lodge, skywatching domes, a wildlife park, and even a solar field. These fabulous offerings attract locals and visitors, and recent developments include the Sage and Spruce Indigenous spa, where both Indigenous and European wellness traditions are honored in pursuit of holistic well-being.

One powerful impact is that Métis Crossing is now the region's largest employer, revitalizing a once-declining rural area. Juanita's intentional approach ensures tourism benefits residents as much as visitors, creating economic opportunities and supporting cultural revitalization.

Resources:

• Website: https://metiscrossing.com/
• LinkedIn Personal: https://metiscrossing.com/
• LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/m%C3%A9tis-crossing/
• Indigenous Tourism Alberta: https://indigenoustourismalberta.ca/
• Destination Indigenous: https://destinationindigenous.ca/

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