Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneurship Training (ITET)

Are you an Indigenous entrepreneur looking to launch or grow a tourism business? The Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneurship Training (ITET) is a 12-week in-person program from May 14th to July 30, 2025, designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and connections to bring your tourism venture to life. Applications close on April 18th.

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Program Benefits and Outcomes

  • Develop essential business skills tailored to the tourism industry, including marketing, financial management, and operations.
  • Gain insights and guidance from industry experts, Indigenous business leaders, and experienced tourism entrepreneurs.
  • Build a strong network of like-minded peers, mentors, and industry professionals for long-term support and collaboration.
  • Access valuable resources and tools to refine, launch, and grow your tourism business successfully.

Program Features

  • 12-week training led by Indigenous facilitators, presenters, and guest speakers.
  • Comprehensive business support, including planning, development skills, mentorship, and startup ecosystem connections.
  • Indigenized learning environment rooted in traditional knowledge and ways of knowing.
  • Training offered in English only.

Commitment

  • In-Person Onboarding Session – April 30th 5 – 7 PM
  • Weekly In-Person Training – Wednesdays May 14th – July 30th,  from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Weekly Homework and Exercises
  • 5-6 hours total weekly commitment 
  • Graduation will be on July 31st from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Meet Past ITET Graduates

Makatew Workshops

Marc Forgette is a proud Anishinaabe Algonquin member of the Wahgoshig (Little Fox) band in Northern Ontario. His business, Makatew Workshops, stems from his journey to self-discovery and brings Indigenous teachings to those with a thirst for First Nations culture. Read more to learn how one Little Fox found guidance from the past in this inspiring tale of perseverance.

Ondarez Clothing and Goods

Paula Naponse is an Indigenous entrepreneur with strong ties to the land and the community of Atikameksheng. Her business, Ondarez Clothing and Goods, symbolizes that bond and the result of a deep passion for creating something from start to finish. Read more to learn how Paula’s turning a homegrown business into a household name in this story of love, triumph and resilience.

Course Modules

Indigenous Tourism

Understanding the creative process and business concepts needed to enhance your big idea

Envisioning – Me

Examine who you are as a person, your Indigenous values, and your future goals as an entrepreneur.

Customer Value

Define your target market and identify and understand your particular niche so that you can master it.

Economic Value

Develop a blueprint for your revenue model, covering pricing, revenue, costs, profits, and sales channels.

Ability to Execute

Identify the key skills required to successfully develop, launch, and sustain your tourism business idea.

Competitive Advantage

Create a competitive strategy to enter the market, stand out, outperform competitors, and sustain success.

Find & Retain Customers

Build your customer base and develop a strategy to attract, engage, and retain loyal customers long-term.

Finance & Budgeting

Develop a healthy financial mindset and master budgeting, from creation to tracking and management.

Financial Planning

Learn key financial statements, conduct break-even analysis, and create your own financial statements.

Operations Strategy

Identify challenges and find resources to support the effective daily management of your business.

Launch

Celebrate with those who supported you on this journey. You've worked hard—now bring your idea to life!

Alumni Community

Join a community of alumni dedicated to growing through collaboration, support, and shared success.

2025 Partners

This program is powered by a network of partners dedicated to supporting the success and growth of Indigenous entrepreneurs.