TAKING A SEAT AT THE ECONOMIC TABLE | INDIGENOMICS BY DESIGN 2021 SPEAKERS
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FRANCINE DOUGLASINDIGENOUS TOURISM SPECIALIST, INDIGENOUS TOURISM BC | VANCOUVER, COAST & MOUNTAINS REGION | DESTINATION BC
Stó:lō from Sts’ailes Nation in Southern BC and Tsimpshian from Metlakatla Nation in Northern BC, Francine values the cultural teachings that she has learned from her family. Francine works with Indigenous Tourism BC, a provincial body mandated by the First Nations Leadership Council in BC to promote and develop Indigenous tourism experiences.
As the VCM Indigenous Tourism Specialist, Francine applies her expertise and cultural learnings towards advancing Indigenous tourism, primarily by providing responsive and respectful regionally specific programs, services and projects. She supports the awareness about the value of Indigenous cultural tourism among industry partners and Indigenous communities, policymakers and organizations, subsequently helping to cultivate new market demand. Destination development is a key component of the role, with an overarching goal of attracting visitors by offering authentic and compelling Indigenous tourism experiences. Francine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of British Columbia and was the valedictorian of the Ch’nook Indigenous Business Program from the Sauder School of Business. She has over fifteen years of business experience as an entrepreneur, managing several of her own businesses in S'olh Temexw, the Stó:lō Traditional Territory. |