Kinu Tourism Project

The Kinu Tourism Project is a Mi’kma’ki wide collaborative initiative at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) to create a sustainable Indigenous tourism student cohort program.

Conversations between Catherine Martin and Professor Jennifer Guy inspired the concept of the Kinu Tourism Program. The Kinu Project Executive Team (KPET) was then established to target funding opportunities and guide proposal development. In Spring 2022, The Kinu Tourism Project was funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program. Kinu meaning “us/together” is underpinned by Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) guiding principles.

Members of the MSVU Business and Tourism Kinu Executive Team and Kinu Project Team Left to right – Dr. Shuyue Huang, Dr. Peter Mombourquette, Catherine Martin, Melanie Lowe, Miriam Gallant, Shannon Monk, Professor Paulette Cormier-MacBurnie, Robert Bernard, Nicholous Deal, Bradley Paul, Professor Jennifer GuyMembers of the Kinu Executive Team and Kinu Project Team Left to right – Dr. Shuyue Huang, Dr. Peter Mombourquette, Catherine Martin, Melanie Lowe, Miriam Gallant, Shannon Monk, Professor Paulette Cormier-MacBurnie, Robert Bernard, Nicholous Deal, Bradley Paul, Professor Jennifer Guy

The project’s goal is to support Indigenous tourism leaders and entrepreneurs, and build capacity within the Indigenous Tourism sector.

Applying Indigenous-informed approaches and content to the current MSVU Tourism and Hospitality Management Program curriculum will enhance tourism education programming across all output levels (certificate, diploma, and degree) and create a sustainable Indigenous tourism cohort the Kinu Tourism Project.  In addition, the enhancement of the curriculum for all tourism students at MSVU will help to build society’s awareness of Indigenous worldviews, ways of knowing, and the true history of Mi’kma’ki.

Sierra at the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage CentreWhere we are: Since the summer of 2022, the Kinu Tourism Project team has been making their way around Mi’kma’ki to build connections with Indigenous and non-Indigenous community leaders, tourism professionals, educators, Knowledge Holders, Elders, and others. The aim of this engagement is to learn how the Kinu Tourism Project can support the Community’s tourism needs, what the program should include, and to build relationships with L’nu across Mi’kma’ki who want to be involved. The Kinu Tourism Project is also developing a study to explore barriers and facilitators to the development of Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneurs and to improve Indigenous student access to post-secondary tourism education.

Where we are going: The Kinu Tourism Project Indigenous tourism student cohort is set to launch for the September 2024 academic year. Until then, the Kinu Tourism Project team will continue making their way around Mi’kma’ki to build connections with Indigenous community leaders, tourism professionals, educators, Knowledge Holders, Elders, and others. Check back for updates!

Kinu Tourism Program Mi’kma’ki Advisory Committee: Launched in January 2023!

Learn more about MSVU’s Tourism and Hospitality Management Program and the Kina’masuti aqq Apognamasuti (Learning and Help) Indigenous Student Centre. Get in touch with the Kinu Tourism Project team at Kinu@MSVU.CA or 902-457-5073.