Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́, located near the Fort Simpson ski hill, is well-known for its beautiful scenery of nature and thus becomes an adequate location for tourist attraction.
The territorial Government, NWT Tourism and the Indigenous Tourism Association signed a contract to support tourism in the territory. It happened to take place in 2018. For this purpose, the federal government announced a fund of 1.2 million dollars to help fund these three lodge projects owned by the natives.
The workers have already started the construction process and are being constructed under the supervision of the students of Arctic Response Canada to get experience. The whole project is taken by Nogha Enterprises. It is important to be noted here that Nogha Enterprises is the economic development arm of First Nation.
The whole station would include the following:
- Five Tent Platforms
- Five A-Frame Cabins
- A Visitor Centre
- A Gazebo
The Gazebo would be in the heart of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́, and all the other platforms would surround the Gazebo to enhance its beauty.
To minimize power consumption, the Chief of Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation sketched the project in such a way that the whole project would include solar panels and would use renewable resources instead of non-renewable resources. Moreover, they would have an electricity generator for backup.
In a conference, Antoine said that the Gazebo would be in the heart of the camp. According to him, if a canoe group rents out the cabins, there would be Gazebo in the middle for a fireplace and a sitting area for the gathering of the whole camp.
At one place, Antoine said: “It’s pretty much a hotel in the forest.” He proposed that First Nations in NWT should focus on building tourist points and other buildings to promote culture.
Besides this, the announcement includes two other Dehcho tourism initiatives given as:
· Deh Gáh Got’îê First Nation
This project is located in Fort Providence and received $800,000 to upgrade Talemia Lodge.
· North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge
This project received $85,000 to recondition its main lodge and apartments.
According to Mr Antoine, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation was not included in the announcement, yet received funds from CanNor.
The main purpose of this project was to let the station open throughout the year and let govt workshops by Fort Simpson’s schools. Besides this, some other companies have also shown interest in the administration of on-the-land camps in that area.
This idea had been there for about 20 years, yet it had never been worked upon. At this moment, Antoine said: “It was the best feeling in the world.” Antoine also heartened other First Nations in NWT to put forth their ideas and grow tourism. He said we should not be shy in these acts.
Antoine says: “Tourism can grow in every community. We have amazing sights, amazing people in our communities, and this is a chance to show that off. I want to see First Nations in the territories grow”.
The whole project is said to be finished in October and would have an opening ceremony then.
Source: https://cabinradio.ca/135171/news/economy/tourism/construction-begins-on-liidli%CC%A8i%CC%A8-kue-first-nation-tourism-centre/
