On February 20, 2025, the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan, announced $2,083,074 in federal support for nine Saskatchewan tourism operators and organizations that add value to their communities and the provincial economy. Projects include new year-round and cold weather tourism experiences that showcase the best that Saskatchewan has to offer, from astronomical sights in the dark skies of Cypress Hills, to cultural and traditional experiences linked to Indigenous, Fransaskois and Ukrainian communities.
Of those announced, four are Indigenous tourism organizations or operators.
“The Ridge on Amisk Resort, Denair Beach, Saskatchewan is receiving $221,000 and change. Waterhen Eco Lodge, Waterhen Lake, Saskatchewan, $250,000. White Cap Dakota First Nations, $156,000. And the MLTC Program Services, Inc. in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, $250,000. And as I mentioned, Indigenous tourism is one of the fastest growing parts of the tourism economy,” said the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister of PrairiesCan. “And this, again, I would repeat is economic reconciliation in action. This is going to employ a lot of young people, particularly. It’s going to be very, very good for economic development in a number of these communities.”
The value of the tourism industry, including Indigenous tourism, is around $3.7 billion. Thus, this is a hugely significant economic development for Indigenous communities and smaller villages, employing a large number of young people and being extremely vital for local employment.
“We are very pleased that Canada is providing this funding support for our Meadow Lake Tribal Council Regional Tourism Growth Project. This will help us to further develop and market our Meadow Lake Tribal Tourism Company, and all of our affiliated tourism operators. Like we say on our web site, “Let us be your guide!”,” said Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman, Meadow Lake Tribal Council.
Funding is provided through PrairiesCan under the Tourism Growth Program (TGP), which provides $108 million over three years. It is to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences.
The TGP plays a role in the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which outlines a framework for sustainable growth, investment, and stability within Canada’s tourism sector.